Railway sanction aims to boost outlet capacity and curb recurring overflows
GUNTUR: The decades‑old drainage problem at Mondigate in Guntur city is set to be modernised after the Railway Department sanctioned ₹6.23 crore for upgrading the stormwater and sewage outlet, officials said.
The foundation stone for the works was laid on Friday by Union Minister of State Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and Guntur East MLA Mohammed Naseer Ahmed, according to local reports. The improvements form part of a package to increase the drainage discharge capacity and reduce spillover into residential areas and agricultural land.
"Drainage water in Guntur city is discharged through three points, including Peekala Vagu and Mondigate. We inspected issues faced by residents and concluded that the drainage capacity needs to be increased to 50,000 litres for a permanent solution," Pemmasani Chandrasekhar said.
Officials said the existing outlet handled around 30,000 litres, a capacity that proved inadequate during heavy rains when rainwater mixed with sewage and overflowed into nearby houses. The sanctioned works will raise capacity to 50,000 litres, and include modernisation at multiple locations in the city.
Scope of work and locations
Local reports named four localities where modernisation works will be taken up: Rajiv Gruhakalpa, Gottala Road, Venkatarama Theatre and Ziauddin Nagar. Each of these sites is expected to receive civil works to improve conveyance and prevent blockages.
- Overall sanction: ₹6.23 crore from Railway funds.
- Estimated overall cost earlier: ₹7–8 crore, with remaining funds to be mobilised as required.
- Capacity increase planned: from 30,000 litres to 50,000 litres.
- Reported benefit: more than 50,000 families in Old Guntur.
Railway officials indicated the outlet would be modernised to handle an additional discharge exceeding 25 cubic metres. Work is expected to continue after the monsoon season, with measures also planned to prevent solid waste entering the drainage network.
| Location | Approx. proposed works |
|---|---|
| Rajiv Gruhakalpa | Modernisation of outlet and conveyance |
| Gottala Road | Upgrading drains and preventing backflow |
| Venkatarama Theatre | Capacity enhancement and desilting measures |
| Ziauddin Nagar | Outlet improvements and waste‑entry prevention |
Local impact and next steps
MLA Mohammed Naseer Ahmed said sewage generated in parts of Guntur was reaching Mondigate but failing to flow out smoothly, causing frequent overflow. Reports state that the project will also benefit farmers whose agricultural lands had been affected by drainage overflow.
Railway additional DRM Ramesh (as reported) confirmed funds were sanctioned this year and that remaining works would be completed after the monsoon. Local leaders from multiple political parties, municipal officials, former corporators and residents attended the foundation ceremony.
While initial estimates for a full solution were around ₹7–8 crore, the current sanctioned amount of ₹6.23 crore represents a substantial central contribution via Railway funds. The administrative agencies will need to coordinate on final designs, procurement and construction scheduling to ensure the works deliver the intended reduction in household flooding and agricultural damage.
Implementation progress, timelines for completion and arrangements for maintenance after construction were not detailed in the reports. Residents and civic groups will likely look for clear schedules and assurances on waste‑management measures to prevent the system from clogging once upgraded.
