Bhopal Notes ::66 :: Repair of Ridge Road

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A few weeks back when I was bed-ridden a friend called to invite me for  the “bhoomi pujan” that was being conducted to signal commencement of the work of re-laying the Ridge Road. My wife, who received the call, informed the friend that as I was under advice of complete bed-rest I couldn’t possibly attend the puja.

Next day we were told that there was no “bhumi puja” as the municipal officials said that the road could not be built now as it would have to be dug up to create a trench for the Narmada water pipe line. We have been hearing of the Narmada water pipe line for long but all these years there has been no sign of it. Perhaps it was a ruse again by the municipality for not taking up the work. It was perhaps well and good that the road work was not taken up as the same day the Monsoon arrived with a bang. There were heavy rains for which Bhopal was waiting all through the summer.

I was, however wondering whether the Narbada waters should at all be brought all the way up to the Idgah Hills. . According to my knowledge 90% of the houses and other establishments on the Idgah Hills are supplied water from the Upper Lake. If the Narmada Waters could be brought to the Upper Lake and allowed to flow into it the problem of shortage of water in the Idgah Hills area would be taken care of. Besides, the heavy expenditure of digging a trench up the hill would not be necessary. The lines that already exist would surely be able to carry the water to the households and other establishments.

Another advantage would be that the Upper Lake would never be short of water and, in all probability, the water crises that occur every summer could be avoided. The municipality supplies water to far flung areas by tankers and that progressively depletes the quantum of water in the Lake and on occasions, therefore, the supplies are discontinued. The chances of that happening would also be obviated. What is more, the construction of the Ridge Road after almost 10 years could be commenced soon after the Monsoon withdraws.

But I think the vested interests wouldn’t allow that to happen. There is a lot of money involved in trenching and laying the pipeline. Even the purchase of pipes and the joints take quite a bit and a cut from them is at stake. The municipal engineers always desire more and more of civil work. To expect them to cut down on supposedly sanctioned works is futile. Nonetheless, they could perhaps examine the matter from this new angle