Integration of Stormwater Drains with Lakes: Expectations and Reality - A Case of Raipur, India

Recently one of the most prominent activity focusing in Indian cities is the retrofitting the urban drainage system. Millions of rupees spent on the construction of stormwater drains in towns and cities to prevent flooding during the rains. These drains that extend several kilometers across the town or city are expected to feed all the collected surface runoff into the nearest surface water body such as a lake or a river. Recently a case study was done by Royal HaskoningDHV, a premier engineering and consultancy organization of Netherlands in association with German funding agency GIZ on improvement of the stormwater management of Raipur city in India. The study suggested that flooding can be prevented in the city by interlinking of stormwater drain with the existing lakes in the city. The lakes can act as the storage reservoirs which dampen the effect of flooding and also reduce the chances of getting lakes dried during summer. Site reconnaissance revealed that most of the drains damaged and the sewage also entering to lakes. The sewerage system in the city observed very poor, creating health and safety issues for the general public. The city municipal corporation is making an effort in restoring these systems. This technical article will try with the following describe and provide with a glimpse into the massive efforts that the Raipur City undertook in order to inspect and clean its drainage and sanitary sewer systems.