look news india
The Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh has taken strict administrative action on the dire situation of waterlogging created after torrential rains in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency Varanasi and negligence in sewage management. Under the Chief Minister’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against officers who show complete indifference towards public problems and basic civic amenities, Executive Engineer Pawan Kumar Gupta, posted in the construction section (electrical/mechanical) of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Urban), has been suspended with immediate effect. The government has not only taken immediate action of suspension, but has also started a departmental disciplinary inquiry against him under the stringent Rule 7 of Uttar Pradesh Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules-1999. According to the official order of the Urban Development Department, Chief Engineer (Purchase), Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Urban), Lucknow has been appointed ex-officio investigating officer of this entire matter, who has been directed to submit a detailed report to the government.
Preliminary technical investigation and field investigation revealed the fact that there was gross negligence in making the technical assessment and action plan to prevent the backflow of the river from entering the city at Chowkaghat Sewage Pumping Station. During the rise in the water level of the river, no prior preparation was made to install necessary gates or safety barriers, due to which the problem of sewer backflow deepened. The most serious negligence came to light on September 3 and 4, when high capacity pumps installed at Chowkaghat Sewage Pumping Station and Goithahan Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) were kept closed despite continuous torrential rains. Due to non-timely operation of pumps during peak hours of rain, excessive pressure increased on the main sewer lines of the city and drainage came to a complete halt. As a result, dozens of low-lying residential areas in Sigra, Rath Yatra, Chowkaghat and Varuna Par were flooded with dirty sewer water, causing heavy waterlogging for local citizens and traders.
Taking cognizance of the serious problem of waterlogging in many parts of Varanasi, State Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Sharma had conducted intensive on-site inspection of Varanasi on 12 and 13 September. During the inspection, the Minister visited Chowkaghat and other sensitive pumping stations and waterlogged localities and examined the ground reality. He had expressed his deep displeasure over the pumps remaining closed during rains and the absence of a concrete plan to deal with backflow. Minister A.K. Sharma had summoned top officials on the spot and given instructions that the drainage work should be completed on a war footing and the general public should be provided immediate relief from the problem of waterlogging. He had warned in clear words that any engineer or officer who is negligent in basic public works will not be spared, after which this strict suspension order was issued at the government level.
Under the official suspension order issued by the government, Executive Engineer Pawan Kumar Gupta has been attached to the office of Chief Engineer (Kanpur Area), Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Urban), Kanpur office during the suspension period. According to the rules, only the prescribed subsistence allowance will be paid to them during the suspension period. Through this strict action, the government has given a strong message to all the development authorities, municipal corporations and water corporation officials of the state that ignoring the instructions issued by higher officials and not working in the field will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Departmental officials have been instructed to ensure that sewage overflow and waterlogging do not recur in any city in the coming days, so that automation and alternative backup of all pumping stations should be kept running round the clock.