Cooch Behar, Aug. 5 -- Continuous heavy rainfall has left parts of Cooch Behar waterlogged, disrupting normal life and exposing the poor state of the town's drainage infrastructure. Rainwater entered several houses, while knee-deep water on roads severely affected traffic movement.
Residents of several localities reported that water entered their homes and alleged that the drainage network has remained inadequate for years.
They claimed that during the erstwhile princely era, even heavy showers rarely caused waterlogging. However, they alleged that unplanned urban development and poor maintenance of the drainage system have resulted in frequent flooding.
Amid mounting public concern, MLA Rathindranath Bose visited several waterlogged wards on Wednesday to assess the situation. He interacted with residents and heard their grievances.
Speaking to reporters, Bose said: "Since morning, I have visited several wards where water has entered people's houses. The drainage system of Cooch Behar is in a poor condition. I have already raised the issue with the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister, and the town has been included under the Smart Town initiative.
The shortcomings will be addressed in phases, with the goal of making Cooch Behar one of the country's top ten towns by 2028."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.