In a proactive move to safeguard the city against monsoon flooding, the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) has launched an intensive desilting operation across its extensive drainage network. The civic body has officially set a deadline of May 31 to complete the removal of silt and debris from 180 kilometers of major drains, ensuring the city is prepared for the upcoming rainy season.
Strategic Investment in Urban Infrastructure
The municipal administration has sanctioned ₹3.68 crore for this comprehensive desilting project. This financial commitment covers the manual and mechanical cleaning of primary and secondary drains that serve as the backbone of Guntur’s wastewater management. By initiating these works well ahead of the monsoon, officials aim to prevent the recurring issue of waterlogging that frequently disrupts life in low-lying neighborhoods.
Municipal Commissioner Kirthi Chekuri has issued strict directives to the engineering wing and private contractors to ensure the timeline is met without compromising on the quality of work. The focus remains on removing solid waste, plastic accumulation, and hardened silt that restricts the free flow of stormwater.
Accountability and Maintenance Clauses
Unlike previous years, the GMC has introduced more stringent contractual obligations to ensure lasting results. Contractors awarded the desilting projects are now legally bound to provide a 90-day maintenance guarantee. This clause stipulates that even after the initial cleaning is finished, the contractors must ensure the drains remain unobstructed for three months.
Focus on Vulnerable Zones
The 180-km stretch includes several high-risk areas identified through historical rainfall data. By targeting these specific bottlenecks, the GMC expects to significantly reduce the drainage overflow that often damages roads and compromises public health during heavy downpours. Residents have been urged to cooperate by avoiding the disposal of plastic and household waste into open drains, which remains a leading cause of urban flooding.
Progress on the project is being monitored through periodic site inspections and GPS-tagged reporting to ensure transparency. As the May 31 deadline approaches, additional manpower and machinery have been deployed to accelerate the works in the city’s most congested sectors.
