Naharlagun
In what has become a common sight during monsoon season in the state capital, hundreds of passengers had a harrowing time after a flash flood triggered by rainfall on Friday submerged the premises of the lone Inter State Bus Terminal ( ISBT ).
The situation remained the same even after the water receded with several passengers and cars seen struggling to navigate their way through knee-deep sludge brought by the flood water.
Few buses parked were also seen stuck in the mud water, because no proper drainage system in the ISBT complex. The rain water overflowed onto the portions of building of ISBT.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Superintendent Arunachal Pradesh State Transport, Itanagar, Tuter Dolum said that the flooding was expected because the ISBT is in a flat or low lying area and thus at risk of being flooded during rainy season.
Admitting that there is no proper outlet system constructed to drain water out of the ISBT premises due to which the rainwater accumulated within the campus, he said that backflow of water often blanketed the campus in silt and mud which come from higher areas like NH-415 and its side drain.
“Not having a proper outlet to drain water is the main source of the problem and if not addressed timely it could also create long-term, chronic flooding risks to the premises,” he said. He added that with no action is immediately is taken there are left with no other choice but to clean the silt deposit every year.
Superintendent, APST Naharlagun, Gyamar Tadap, said that he personally apprised the problems to GM, APST who visited and inspected the ISBT campus on Thursday following a request.
“I have requested GM to address flooding and stagnant water issues under the ISBT campus and hope the problem would be sorted soon,” he added.
According to Tadap, this is the second time the ISBT facility has been flooded and earlier the silt deposit was cleared engaging three earthmovers.
Meanwhile, authority has pressed man and machinery to remove the silt and mud deposit in the evening .
