To tackle urban flooding and ensure swift drainage of rainwater during the monsoon, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has ramped up preparations by deploying a total of 364 water pumps, including both permanent and temporary installations, across the city and adjoining areas.
According to officials, 56 permanent Drainage Pumping Stations (DPS) are operational across the city. In addition, 36 temporary DPS have been established at locations prone to severe waterlogging, particularly in areas where permanent drainage infrastructure is not available. These temporary units have been set up from Patna to Danapur, with alternative water evacuation systems in place.
At critical points, trolley-mounted pumps have been installed to handle excess water efficiently. Major installations include:
Khanpur: 8 trolley-mounted pumps
Barmukta: 8 trolley-mounted pumps
Digha Canal: 16 trolley-mounted pump
Meanwhile, drainage capacity has been significantly enhanced in several key urban zones across Patna. Each zone is now equipped with upgraded Drainage Pumping Stations (DPS) and additional pumps to improve water evacuation during heavy rains:
Azimabad zone: 7 DPS equipped with 33 pumps, including 30 electric and 3 diesel-powered units.
Kankarbagh zone: 7 DPS with a total of 46 pumps (41 electric and 6 diesel).
Bankipur zone: 7 DPS operating with 35 pumps (29 electric and 6 diesel).
Patliputra zone: 9 DPS supported by 36 pumps (29 electric and 7 diesel).
New Capital Area: Houses the highest number of installations with 26 DPS and 105 pumps, of which 95 are electric and 10 run on diesel.
Officials confirmed that all 364 pumps, including 265 electric and 99 diesel-operated units, have undergone servicing and are fully operational. Of these, 256 pumps are stationed at permanent DPS, while 83 pumps are in place at temporary locations.
To ensure uninterrupted functioning during heavy rain, the civic body has stocked essential equipment and spare parts at all pumping stations.
Patna adds real-time monitoring to 9 key drainage stations
In a significant step towards smart flood management, nine of the 65 drainage pumping stations in Patna have now been integrated with a real-time monitoring and control system via the city’s Control and Command Center. This system allows authorities to monitor water levels, pump operations, and respond promptly during heavy rainfall.
The initiative was formally launched by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on May 20 this year. The integration has been carried out with technical support from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), and efforts are underway to bring the remaining pumping stations under this system soon.
A senior official from BUIDCO said that exhaustive preparations have been made this year. All pumps are functional and support systems are in place to respond quickly to any emergency during the monsoon.
