Gorakhpur’s Urban Flood Management Cell Set For Major Upgrade With Rs 750 Cr NDMA Support

The Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation's Urban Flood Management Cell (UFMC), established to tackle the problem of waterlogging in the city, has been praised at the national level. As a result, the National Disaster Management Authority, considering this system to be effective, has given its in-principle approval to provide financial assistance of Rs 750 crore for its upgrade.

According to Gaurav Singh Sogarwal, Municipal Commissioner, financial assistance of Rs 220 crore will be provided to develop urban flood management by adopting the Blue-Green Infrastructure Development system in the first phase. In this, 90 per cent of the amount will be provided by the Government of India and 10 per cent by the state government. The remaining funds will be released based on its success.

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Following the in-principle approval, the Municipal Corporation has initiated the process of preparing a DPR (Detailed Project Report) in this regard. In this, a plan will be prepared by the Municipal Corporation focusing on the upgrade of the UFMC, with green and blue development at its core.
The Urban Flood Management Cell will be upgraded under the Blue-Green Infrastructure Development system. Under this, the number of Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) will be increased for accurate assessment of rainwater in various areas of the city. Currently, ARGs are installed in only two locations: Chargawan and the DM office premises.

Under the Blue-Green Infrastructure Development system, the number of Automatic Rain Gauges (svachalit varsha mapak) will be increased to between 15 and 20. ARGs will be installed on medium and large drains.

Modern technology will be used to make management more scientific and precise. During the rainy season, heavy rainfall causes the water level in drains and sewers to rise significantly. This leads to waterlogging problems in these areas. Large and medium-sized drains have been continuously constructed in various parts of the city, and many are still under construction.

Due to the absence of Automatic Water Level Recorders (AWLRs) on these drains, an accurate assessment of waterlogging in specific areas is not possible. Water level recorders will be installed on all of them.

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Under the 'Green Development' component of the scheme, an innovative method for treating water discharged from the city will be adopted. Keeping in mind the conservation and promotion of nature, a natural treatment method, similar to that at Takiya Ghat, will be adopted for the water from drains in various parts of the city.

Additionally, wetlands such as Mahesra, Chilua Tal, Ramgarh Tal, and Sumer Sagar will be conserved and beautified. Care will be taken to ensure that natural materials are used instead of concrete in the construction of various projects.