In what has brought to the fore a major negligence on part of the contractor involved in the construction of Lalbaugh Rail Over Bridge (ROB), a main drainage line at the site has been damaged.

The matter came to light after Lalbaugh residents complained about overflowing drainages in their houses. Though officials in their respective wards had pumped out the water, the problem started again after some time. Later, a thorough search was conducted and it was found that the contractor had blocked the entire drainage line while making ‘pile’, which is part of making the foundation of a ROB.

While the Opposition party members at the VMC made a major hue and cry in the general board meeting, VMC officials admitted it was a case of negligence on part of the contractor and lack of coordination on part of the respective officials at the civic body.

Opposition leader Chirag Zaveri told Newsline: “The drainage line goes to the Sindhwai Mata pumping station. The contractor broke the line and filled it up with concrete to make the foundation of the bridge. This was not conveyed to the concerned officials and they came to know about it after residents complained about the overflowing gutters.”

He added that now the corporation has no option but to divert the drainage line and “spend lakhs of rupees even as the contractor would go scot-free”. “Moreover, until the line is not diverted, the VMC will be spending heavily on electricity bills for pumping out water from one spot to another. In case of electricity failure, thousands of residents of Amarnathpuram, Jagannathpuram, Shivam society, Arihant flats and other societies will face a major problem,” Zaveri added.

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