VISAKHAPATNAM:

In a bid to prevent urban flooding, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has set an ambitious target to desilt its extensive network of stormwater drains before the active onset of the Southwest monsoon.

The directive follows a high-level field inspection conducted by GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg on Monday.

Official sources from the GVMC told The Hindu, the port city’s drainage infrastructure spans over 3,500 kilometres, comprising approximately 128 km of major primary storm channels and more than 2,800 km of secondary and tertiary roadside drains. Heavy siltation and illegal encroachments across this massive network have historically triggered flash floods in several low-lying pockets during torrential rains.

Field inspections at critical choke points

On Monday, Mr. Garg inspected flood-prone areas in the East Zone, focusing on Ward 21 near Park Hotel Junction, which recently experienced severe waterlogging. Identifying accumulated silt and blocked channels as the primary drivers, the Commissioner ordered immediate desilting, installation of protective steel gratings at vulnerable junctions, and the demolition of structures encroaching on the drains.

Later, while reviewing sanitation works along the main road from Lumbini Park to Samatha College in Appughar, the civic chief adopted a zero-tolerance approach toward public littering. Spotting a large pile of garbage dumped outside a local rice shop, Mr. Garg slapped a ₹10,000 fine on the owner. In a stern warning, he ordered sanitation workers to return the waste inside the shop as a return gift and cautioned that establishments failing to maintain cleanliness would be summarily sealed.

Enforcement of commercial waste rules

To ensure smooth operations across the newly reorganised 10 zones of the corporation, the Commissioner mandated that all commercial establishments must place three separate dustbins outside their shops. Business owners have been directed to hand over segregated waste directly to the GVMC transit vehicles rather than discarding it on the roads.

Sanitary inspectors and ward sanitation secretaries have been instructed to conduct daily field checks to monitor compliance. The public health wing will also step up awareness campaigns to ensure shopkeepers understand the disposal protocols before stricter penalties are enforced.

Clearing of public road encroachments

In addition to drainage clearance, the civic body has launched a simultaneous drive to clear public paths. Zonal commissioners have been instructed to clear temporary and permanent structures blocking natural water flow and pedestrian movement along major roadsides.