PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 31 -- In a major step towards tackling urban waterlogging, Sangam city is set to get its first automated pumping station, which will switch on automatically as the water level rises and pump out accumulated rainwater. A 40-million-litre-per-day (MLD) capacity pumping station will be constructed behind CMP College at an estimated cost of Rs.20.37 crore. The Construction and Design Services (C&DS) will execute the project, district officials said. The facility is expected to provide relief to residents of Georgetown, Tagore Town, Chhitpur and Sohbatia Bagh, among other localities, which face prolonged waterlogging after heavy rainfall. These areas were severely affected during the prolonged spell of rain in August this year, forcing authorities to deploy multiple pumps to drain out accumulated water. Roads were also dug up to clear underground drains. The C&DS has floated a tender for the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2028. This means residents may have to contend with waterlogging during heavy rainfall in 2027 as well. Prayagraj Municipal Corporation junior engineer Ram Saxena said drains would be constructed to channel rainwater from the waterlogging-prone localities to the pumping station. These drains would be connected to the existing street drainage network. The water collected at the pumping station will subsequently be discharged into the Ganga through Mori Gate, he added. According to the tender conditions, the construction work will have to be completed within 10 months of the award of the contract, including the rainy season. The last date for submission of bids is November 12, with technical bids scheduled to be opened at 4 pm the same day. The Allahabad high court intervened during the August 2026 rains, taking suo motu cognisance of severe waterlogging in Prayagraj. It summoned the district magistrate and municipal commissioner and directed them to pump out accumulated rainwater from low-lying areas through Mori Gate, Daraganj, while seeking details of long-term approved drainage plans....