Lack of pumps keeps Srinagar inundated

Minister of State for Flood Control Nazir Gurezi through radio announcements had assured that dewatering has already started.

As water levels recede, the J&K government has failed to take up the task of draining out stagnant water due to lack of dewatering pumps. Pumps in the city are submerged and airlifting new ones from outside the state will take time.

Officials said that in 2011, the State Flood Control and Irrigation Department ordered purchase of 22 dewatering pumps, but these pumps were not delivered. These dewatering pumps, officials said, were meant to meet any sort of exigency.

A former chief engineer of the Flood Control Department told The Indian Express that the order was placed after proper tendering in 2011, but the government is yet to receive the pumps. “I think no body from the flood control pursued the case. Today, these dewatering pumps could have been utilised. I think the supplier was waiting for the release of funds,” he said. Sources said that the officials did not press the supplier for the pumps.

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On Sunday, Minister of State for Flood Control Nazir Gurezi through radio announcements had assured that dewatering has already started.

Despite water levels in the Jhelum having receded, the government has not started dewatering in the important parts of the city. The business centres of Lal Chowk, Residency Road, Maulana Azad Road and Hari Singh High Street and roads leading to the High Court are still submerged.

The owners of the business establishments are annoyed that no one from the administration is present on ground. “It is very shocking… no government official has came here,” Mohammed Sidiq, a shop owner said.

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