Commissioner expresses ire on slow pace of Kosa Nullah channelization works

Central Chronicle News
Bhilai, Oct 12: Kosa Nullah is an important drain of the city which passes through several low lying densely populated areas. It often gets flooded in rainy season and results in water logging in several localities. Thousands of families have to face problems especially during the rainy days. For the past several years, the people of the low-lying areas have been demanding concrete steps to eliminate the problem of flooding.
Taking cognizance of this problem, BMC administration has started the work of beautification and development of the nullah from the month of January. But due to the slow progress of the project, the problem still persists and the people are not getting relief. Corporation Commissioner Prakash Surve inspected the spot to assess the progress on both sides of the drain.
He expressed ire over the slow progress of the work. He gave instructions to the Executive Engineer Sanjay Sharma to complete the important work at a fast pace.
It is noteworthy that channelization / retaining wall are being built at Kosa Nullah at a cost of Rs 17 crores. The project had commenced about 10 months ago. The contract has been awarded to M/s Raipur Construction Private Limited, Babla Complex. Beautification is to be done around Kosa Nullah. Not only this, bridges will also be built at about five places. On completion of the project, thousands of families of low-lying localities of the city will get rid of the flooding problem. Manish Gaikwad, Commissioner of Nehru Nagar Zone, told that the drain construction will be done from Phytorite to Khamaria Road. At present, Kosa Nullah crosses the road connecting Surya Mall to Avanti Bai Chowk.
The work of retaining wall has been started from the bridge located near Milestone School, from here work will be done up to 500 meters towards Khamaria Road, out of which the work up to 300 meters has been completed.
Assistant Engineer Sunil Dubey said that the retaining wall and cementation work of the nullah will be done from near Phytorite to the school located in Model Town and from the bridge to the road leading to Khamaria Road.
With its development, the possibility of water logging in low-lying areas will be eliminated. Water logging will not happen in the houses of nearby residents and in the area. This drain of the city will also look beautiful. Kosa Mullah is the oldest drain of Bhilai. The entire sewerage and rain water of the township coming out of the BSP flows and meets at Kosanala near Bhilai Nagar railway station and from here the drain goes further through Model Town, Junwani, Khamharia via Kosanagar.
The length of the drain in the limits of Bhilai Corporation is about 5 kilometers. This drain was made to discharge the dirty water from BSP outside the city. The people of low-lying settlements will get the biggest benefit from the development work of the drain. If a retaining wall is built in the drain, then the water of the drain will move straight ahead. This will not inundate the localities. This project will also eliminate the possibilities of the spread of water borne and other diseases.
Municipal Commissioner Prakash Surve inspected the spot twice. Some spots have also been selected for drain deepening. In such places where there were problems of water stagnation, deepening will also be done so that the flow of the drain remains continuous.
To ensure that the work is done fast and quality, Municipal Commissioner Sarve is himself monitoring the entire project. Sub Engineers Alok Pasine and Arpit Banjare were present during the inspection.