Durgapur: Continuous rain due to a depression has waterlogged the Ara More area in Durgapur. Due to poor drainage systems, water has accumulated on the roads, causing immense suffering to local residents and commuters. In this situation, to reduce the suffering of the common people and restore the defunct drainage system, Durgapur East MLA Chandrashekhar Banerjee directly stepped into the field.
On this day, the MLA reached the spot to inspect the situation firsthand. He alleged that rainwater coming from the Muchipara area past the Mission Hospital accumulates in the drainage canal of Ara More. However, as this main drain has not been cleaned for a long time, the drainage system has virtually collapsed. In addition, the situation has become more complicated due to unauthorized shops and offices being built on top of the drain.
Local residents have long complained that knee-deep water accumulates in the Ara More area even with a little rain. Vocal about a permanent solution to this problem, MLA Chandrashekhar Banerjee stated that today's plight is due to unplanned encroachment. In his words, "Because shops have been built by occupying the drain, the drainage system is completely blocked. Despite having inadequate drainage systems, high-rise construction has been permitted everywhere by the Panchayat with the connivance of a section of the administration. As a result, rainwater cannot drain out, creating an artificial flood in the area."
Furthermore, he alleged that multiple political and commercial offices have been built by illegally occupying the land of the Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA). The MLA made it clear that due to such permanent constructions over the drain, it was not possible even for the municipality to clean the canal. Ignoring all administrative complexities on this day, the MLA took his own initiative to remove those encroachments and started the work of cleaning the drain.
MLA Chandrashekhar Banerjee has issued strict instructions to ensure that such problems do not recur in the future. He has clearly stated that permanent or cement slabs can no longer be used over the drain under any circumstances. Instead, iron grills must be installed there so that the drain can be cleaned regularly and easily, and the drainage system of Ara More can be kept functioning normally at all times. Local residents have appreciated this sudden step taken by the MLA.
