PIL filed in Patna High Court over severe waterlogging in capital; Hearing on July 30.
Patna, July 29, 2025: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Patna High Court over the recurring issue of severe waterlogging in the state capital during the monsoon season.
This year too, with large parts of Patna submerged following incessant rains, citizens have been left stranded in waterlogged streets and homes, raising serious concerns about urban planning and civic preparedness.
The PIL has been filed by Dr Prabhat Chandra, a city-based dentist, along with other concerned citizens in the Patna High Court on Tuesday.
The petition highlights the failure of the Patna Municipal Corporation and state administration in addressing the issue despite repeated assurances and court interventions over the years.
Dr Chandra, in his plea, stated that due to flooding in his area, he has been unable to attend to patients at his clinic, and many patients are unable to access medical care. The PIL emphasizes that this is not an isolated incident but a yearly ordeal faced by residents of Patna, pointing to the lack of a sustainable and effective drainage system.
The petition specifically mentions severely affected localities such as Rajvanshi Nagar, Patliputra Colony, Kaknar Bagh, Rajendra Nagar, Ashiyana Nagar and Rajiv Nagar.
These areas have been inundated with drainage water, rendering roads impassable and posing serious health risks, particularly to children and elderly citizens.
Recurring negligence despite a previous Patna High Court order:
The PIL draws attention to a similar case filed in 2008 by advocate Shyam Kishore Sharma, after which the Patna High Court had issued strict directions to the administration and the Municipal Corporation to ensure effective flood management and drainage.
However, as the latest PIL indicates, no long-term or visible improvements have been made since then.
The petition urged the Patna High Court to take stringent action and direct the authorities to undertake immediate relief measures on a war footing, a comprehensive drainage plan, and permanent infrastructure upgrades to prevent further waterlogging.
Ground reality: Capital in crisis:
Continuous rains over the past 2 days have submerged major roads in Patna.
Drain water has overflowed into residential areas, creating an unhygienic and dangerous environment.
Even VVIP zones, including Rajvanshi Nagar, Bihar Assembly, Dak Bungalow Chowk, Patna Junction and Urja stadium area, are completely waterlogged.
Roads and drains have become indistinguishable, making it difficult for pedestrians and vehicles to move.
In many areas, the absence of proper drainage has turned streets into pools of stagnant water, risking waterborne diseases and further infrastructural damage.
Demand for accountability before the smart city push:
The PIL also criticizes the government’s smart city mission, arguing that basic civic amenities like drainage, clean roads and accessibility should take precedence before branding Patna as a smart city.
The matter is likely to come up for hearing on July 30, 2025, when the Patna High Court is expected to seek responses from the concerned departments and possibly pass interim directions.
Also Read: Patna drowns: 36 hours of rain turn the capital into a city under siege.
EOM.