Explained: Why waterlogging continues to haunt Punjab cities

For Ludhiana, Local Bodies Director Karnesh Sharma says, “I have no idea why flooding happens in Ludhiana everytime despite MC getting required funds to clean the drains. It only means that MC fails to get them cleaned..”

Waterlogged roads near clock tower in Ludhiana after the rain. Gurmeet Singh

Pre-monsoon showers recently brought cities like Bathinda and Ludhiana to a complete standstill due to waterlogging. Every year, the three ‘Smart Cities’ of Punjab — Ludhiana, Jalandhar & Amritsar and Badals’ bastion Bathinda (which was at the centre of every development plan during ten years of SAD-BJP government), witness massive waterlogging even in posh areas and on highways. The Indian Expressexplains why the existing drainage system fails to deal with even pre-monsoon showers.