Overflowing Drains Inundate Streets in New Shivpuri Colony of Ambala Cantt as Residents Fear Dengue Outbreak Lack of drain maintenance in New Shivpuri Colony of Ambala Cantt has caused sewage water to flood residential streets, raising serious fears of a dengue outbreak. Civic infrastructure has completely collapsed in New Shivpuri Colony, located near the Tangri Dam in Ambala Cantonment. Standing in stark contrast to the lofty claims of the Swachh Bharat Mission, residents of this locality are forced to endure filthy living conditions caused by severely neglected sanitation. Drains choked with silt and domestic waste for months are now overflowing onto public streets and residential lanes. The onset of the monsoon season has exacerbated the crisis, forcing citizens to wade through foul-smelling sewage water just to step out of their homes. Rising Risk of Dengue and Infectious Diseases Stagnant sewage water across the colony and uncleaned drains have created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Local residents are living under constant fear that the deteriorating sanitary environment will trigger a massive outbreak of dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and other vector-borne diseases. Cases of high fever, persistent cough, and viral infections are already rising among households in the neighborhood. Residents allege that despite approaching the Municipal Council repeatedly with written complaints, officials have offered nothing beyond empty assurances. The negligence of the municipal body is evident from the fact that no sanitation drive has been launched, nor have regular sanitation workers been deployed to clear the clogged drainage network. To make matters worse, municipal garbage collection vehicles fail to visit the colony for days at a time, leading to accumulating piles of rotting trash. Due to the locality's close proximity to the Tangri River, heavy rains frequently cause waterlogging and force river runoff into the streets, engulfing the entire community in stench and hazardous waste. Children Confined Indoors as Play Areas Turn Foul The continuous flow of dirty drain water has severely disrupted the daily lives of children in the neighborhood. Pooja Rani, a resident of New Shivpuri, shared her distress, pointing out that sewage water remains accumulated in front of homes around the clock. She noted that repeated appeals submitted to senior Municipal Council officials have fallen on deaf ears, with no administrative representative visiting the site to assess the ground realities. According to Pooja Rani, children who used to play freely in the residential lanes during evenings are now confined indoors due to swarms of mosquitoes and the unbearable stench outside. Venturing outdoors poses an immediate health hazard to young children. Almost every second household in the colony is reporting family members, particularly children and the elderly, suffering from fever and respiratory symptoms. Wading Through Sewage Becomes a Daily Compulsion Another local resident, Rajni, explained that stepping out of the front door immediately brings residents face to face with overflowing drain water. Breathing fresh air inside their homes has become impossible as the pungent smell penetrates living spaces. Rajni revealed that her young child recently fell ill due to the unhygienic surroundings and expressed deep concern over the long-term health consequences for neighborhood children. Rajni emphasized that residents have no alternative but to navigate through polluted water daily for essential tasks, work commutes, and buying groceries. Medical treatments offer only temporary relief if the immediate living environment remains contaminated. She warned that if the authorities fail to intervene promptly, the locality could face a severe public health emergency. Timely House Tax Collection Versus Zero Basic Amenities Local resident Meenakshi Devi raised serious questions regarding the accountability of the local administration and the Municipal Council. She pointed out the stark irony that while the municipal authority strictly collects House Tax from residents every year on time, it completely abdicates its responsibility when it comes to providing basic civic services like sanitation and clean surroundings. Meenakshi Devi highlighted the contradictory approach of the authorities by pointing out that Health Department teams visit homes to advise residents on cleaning water coolers, tanks, and containers to prevent dengue breeding. However, the exact same administration turns a blind eye to massive pools of stagnant sewage rotting directly outside these homes. As dusk falls, dense clouds of mosquitoes hover over the streets. She questioned who would bear legal and moral responsibility if a resident contracts severe dengue or malaria. Residents Demand Concrete Action Over Paper Promises Sarla, another affected resident, noted that while roads and drainage channels were constructed in New Shivpuri, the complete absence of routine maintenance and desilting has rendered the infrastructure useless. Foul odours rising from the clogged drains penetrate deep into homes, destroying the indoor quality of life. Sarla expressed dismay that young schoolchildren are forced to walk through black, contaminated drain water while dressed for school every morning. She added that residents invested their hard-earned life savings to build homes in the colony, only to be left living in miserable conditions due to administrative apathy. The residents of New Shivpuri Colony collectively demand that the Municipal Council move beyond paper claims and immediately deploy field staff and equipment to clear the drains and restore sanitation. What this means for you • Across India: Poor civic maintenance during monsoons escalates the threat of vector-borne illnesses and urban waterlogging in residential neighborhoods. • In Ambala: Sewage overflow on streets in New Shivpuri Colony disrupts daily routines and heightens dengue and malaria risks for children and residents. Questions & Answers 1. What is the primary issue facing residents of New Shivpuri Colony in Ambala? Drains in New Shivpuri Colony have not been cleaned for months, causing heavy silt build-up and sewage water to overflow onto public roads, creating severe stench and health risks. 2. Which health hazards are residents most concerned about? Residents fear an outbreak of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya due to stagnant sewage water and mosquito breeding. 3. What complaints have residents raised against the local Municipal Council? Residents allege that despite filing multiple complaints, the Municipal Council has given only empty assurances without sending cleaning crews or garbage collection vehicles. 4. What question did residents raise regarding House Tax collection? Residents questioned why basic sanitation amenities are denied when the Municipal Council collects House Tax promptly from homeowners every year. https://trendkia.com/en/national/ambala-cantt-ki-new-shivpuri-colony-men-naliyon-ka-pani-sarakon-para-phaila-dengu-aura-maleriya-ke-khaupha-men-ji-rahe-loga-12092 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.