House near storm drain vacated as a precaution

Vadodara: After the collapse of a stormwater drain slab on Saturday last, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has taken precautionary measures to prevent further damage to the surrounding area. The civic body has issued a notice to a nearby house and placed sandbags inside the drain to halt soil erosion . The stormwater drain, built 23 years ago, is a crucial for mitigating waterlogging in eastern parts of Vadodara.

It starts near the Rajivnagar sewage treatment plant (STP) and traverses through the New VIP Road, Warasiya, Harni, Hathikhana Road, Tulsiwadi, and Bahucharaji areas before ending in the Vishwamitri. Although the sandbags will obstruct the flow in the drain, officials had no alternative. “Further erosion of soil could have led to more damage to the drain and to houses on either side.

Also, the flow of water had to be stopped for the inspection and work to contain the damage,” said Ajit Dadhich, the area councillor. VMC has sought the expertise of engineers from the state’s irrigation department, who have extensive experience in repairing and constructing canals across the state. The soil in the area is prone to cave-ins and the irrigation department is well-equipped to handle such soil conditions.

Dr Sheetal Mistry, the standing committee chairman of VMC, stated that the house issued the notice was situated on the border of the storm water drain. “The incumbents have been asked to vacate it as a precautionary measure. We do not want to take any chance.