In a first, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday assigned councillors and Mayor-in-Council (MiC) members the monitoring of pre-monsoon drain clearing activity in their respective wards. The move comes days after The Pioneer questioned recurring monsoon waterlogging in large parts of the city and underlined the need for a more effective mechanism to prevent monsoon flooding in low-lying areas. The BMC decision coincides with an ongoing effort to clear more than 20 major drains across the city, which are clogged with several feet of silt. Mayor Malti Rai visited multiple areas on Wednesday to inspect the works. At Mata Mandir Square in Zone 8, she was joined by MiC member RK Singh Baghel, local councillors and officials. Truckloads of sludge are being cleared from key drains and transported out of the city. Mayor Rai said major drains will be cleaned by May 30, and smaller ones by May 20. Excavators are being used for large drains, while JCBs handle smaller ones. MiC members and councillors have been instructed to ensure no drain is overlooked during the process. Drains encroached upon by illegal constructions are also being cleared. The Mayor said enforcement teams have orders to act firmly against all encroachments without exception. State minister Vishvas Sarang bas also reviewed the situation in Narela. Localities like Ashoka Garden, Shiv Nagar and Karond remain most vulnerable to waterlogging during heavy rains.Additionally, the formation of a dedicated Haathi Mitra Dal (Elephant Friend Team) has been approved, which will play a key role in the implementation of elephant conservation.

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