Dr. Arvind Kumar*
The first few days of monsoon every year feel like dejavu with submerged cities and water logging on repeat. We are living in unprecedented times of pollution, climate change, disasters but we are living through these crises. However, when disasters occur due to human interventions and which can be averted is not something we can live with. Urban flooding is a growing disaster exacerbated by extreme weather events, unplanned urbanisation and population explosion especially in a country like India which is also densely populated. Every year when water logging happen discussion on revamping the drainage system gets traction, once the water recedes we forget all about it. Rapid urbanization, driven by unscrupulous developers and lax regulatory oversight, leads to the encroachment of natural drainage systems and wetlands. Poorly planned infrastructure, often approved through corruption, clogs waterways, causing severe waterlogging during monsoon rains.
Modern cities have been hostile to the elaborate ecosystem that sustained the city in the past. Lakes in many cities have been filled up; others have been curtailed through slow and stealthy encroachment and concretisation. Illegal construction on floodplains further increases vulnerability, as developers bypass safety norms. Corruption in municipal bodies results in inadequate drainage maintenance and waste management, exacerbating flooding issues. Non-planned urbanization is a ticking time bomb, waiting to unleash a plethora of disasters that can have far-reaching consequences. The uncontrolled and haphazard growth of cities, without proper planning and infrastructure, sets the stage for a multitude of risks with rippling effects. However, this critical issue of rampant human footprint expansion in cities—or the over-densification of cities—is continuously ignored.
The smart cities are just smart in name or do they really boast smart infrastructure and solutions?
River Seine in Paris is now hosting the Olympics triathlon after a comprehensive €1.4 billion cleanup project which got under way to transform the noxious Seine waters due to dumping and overflow of rain water into a swimming spot. We have spent thousands of crores on Yamuna but it is still a filthy drain. Why?
The recent tragedy at an IAS coaching centre in New Delhi, where three aspirants lost their lives due to flooding, highlights a disaster that was largely man-made and therefore preventable.
Who should be held responsible for three young lives to have ended in such a disastrous way?
After paying world class taxes, why aren’t we getting world class services and amenities?
Man Made Catastrophes
Urban flooding has become routine in major cities, driven by both natural topography and unchecked land use and construction practices. Furthermore, non-planned urbanization leads to inadequate waste management, resulting in the accumulation of trash and pollutants in waterways, soil, and air. This has devastating effects on public health, causing the spread of diseases and respiratory problems. In addition, the lack of proper infrastructure, such as roads, public transportation, and utilities, can lead to congestion, accidents, and power outages. This can have significant economic implications, affecting businesses, industries, and the overall quality of life. This also perpetuates social inequality, as the poor and marginalized are often forced to live in informal settlements, lacking access to basic services like sanitation, healthcare, and education.
The sewerage system in India, particularly in cities like Delhi, Mumbai etc. often comes to a standstill during rains. India experiences intense rainfall during monsoons which can overwhelm the system. Rapid urbanization leads to increased runoff, as natural soakage areas are replaced by impervious surfaces like roads and buildings. Drains and waterways are often encroached upon by unauthorized construction, reducing their capacity. The sewerage system is often outdated, under-maintained, and insufficient to handle the heavy rainfall. Drains are frequently clogged with plastic waste, debris, and silt because of improper waste management blocking the flow of water. The system is not designed to handle sudden, heavy rainfall, leading to overflow and waterlogging. Regular maintenance and cleaning of drains are neglected, leading to siltation and clogging. Pumping stations are often unable to handle the volume of water during heavy rainfall. Most of these reasons are due to rampant corruption and mismanagement which leads to inadequate funding, poor planning, and ineffective execution of sewerage projects.
More then any other reason is corruption at the lowest level. Similarly despite rules and regulations, unplanned buildings are allowed to erect due to a combination of factors like inadequate monitoring and enforcement of building codes and zoning regulations. Insufficient fines and penalties for violators, making it a low-risk activity. Politicians and powerful individuals often protect illegal constructions. Overlapping jurisdictions and complex procedures create confusion and loopholes. Court cases and stays often delay or halt demolition drives, emboldening violators. Insufficient civic amenities and infrastructure in planned areas lead to unauthorized constructions.
Way forward
To mitigate these risks, it is essential to adopt an integrated holistic approach to urbanization Developing comprehensive systemic urban plans which include conducting thorough environmental impact assessments before allowing any construction. Upgrading and expanding sewerage infrastructure and investment in storm water management systems along with effective waste management practices have to be strengthened. Enforce regulations against encroachment and unauthorized construction. The regulations and rules should be simple and streamlined and effective enforcement and monitoring is imperative. Penalties and fines should be strengthened. Reducing corruption and enforcing construction standards is vital for saving lives and limiting the structural damage resulting from natural disasters. Equal stakeholder participation and shared responsibility among policy shareholders and stakeholders is a must. By taking a proactive and planned approach to urbanization, we can create resilient, sustainable, and thriving cities that provide a high quality of life for all residents. We can reduce the proliferation of unplanned buildings and promote a more organized and sustainable urban environment. The time to act is now, before this ticking time bomb explodes.
*Editor, Focus Global Reporter
