Newz Desk, Durgapur: Despite no heavy rainfall in recent days, Arrah More Market under Kanksa police station has remained waterlogged for nearly 15 days, leaving traders, residents and commuters struggling to navigate the area. The main road through the market has virtually turned into a waterway, with customers and shopkeepers forced to wade through dirty water to access the shops. In several places, water has also entered residential houses, adding to the hardship faced by local residents. Fed up with the prolonged waterlogging, traders and residents have repeatedly raised the issue with the administration. However, they alleged that no permanent solution has been found so far.
On Saturday morning, Durgapur East MLA Chandrashekhar Bandyopadhyay visited Arrah More to assess the situation on the ground. Following an inspection, JCB machinery and a vacuum cleaner were brought in to remove the accumulated water and clear the drainage system. The effort was aimed at restoring the flow of water and providing immediate relief to the market and surrounding residential areas.
Speaking during his visit, MLA Chandrashekhar Bandyopadhyay alleged that encroachment on government land during the previous Trinamool Congress regime had contributed to the drainage problem. “During the Trinamool regime, government land was encroached upon and used by some people to construct offices and shops. That is why this situation has arisen. We are taking steps to address the problem,” the MLA said.
Local traders alleged that water has been flowing into the market from the abandoned Hindustan Fertiliser residential area, resulting in prolonged waterlogging. They claimed that the issue has been brought to the attention of different levels of the administration several times, but a permanent solution is yet to be implemented. The waterlogging has severely affected business in the market. With stagnant water blocking shop entrances, customers are finding it difficult to enter the establishments. In some shops, water has reportedly entered the premises, raising concerns over damage to goods and other merchandise.
The situation has also caused considerable inconvenience to daily commuters. Children, elderly people and two-wheeler riders are particularly vulnerable while crossing the waterlogged stretch. With the actual depth of the road difficult to judge because of the stagnant water, locals fear that accidents could occur. Residents and traders, however, said that while the immediate drainage work may provide temporary relief, a permanent solution to the area’s drainage problem is urgently needed to prevent the market from becoming waterlogged again.
