Guntur's 50-year-old drainage woe set to end with ₹6.23 crore revamp

The decades-old Mondigate drainage system in Guntur, which has caused repeated flooding in residential areas during heavy rains, will finally be modernised. Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar and Guntur East MLA Naseer Ahmad laid the foundation stone for the project on Friday, August 14, 2026. The work will be funded through Railway funds at a cost of ₹6.23 crore.

The existing drainage outlet handles around 30,000 litres of sewage. During heavy rainfall, the system becomes overwhelmed, causing sewage and stormwater to spill into nearby residential neighbourhoods. The upgraded infrastructure will raise the discharge capacity to approximately 50,000 litres, offering what officials described as a permanent solution to a problem that has persisted for four to five decades.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Pemmasani said the project would resolve the long-standing grievances of residents in Old Guntur. He noted that the revamp would also address drainage-related issues faced by farmers in the surrounding areas, as the improved outflow would reduce waterlogging in agricultural lands.

The works will be carried out in four key locations: Rajiv Gruhakalpa, Gottala Road, Venkatarama Theatre, and Ziauddin Nagar. These areas have been identified as particularly vulnerable to flooding and sewage backflow during monsoons.

Mr. Naseer Ahmad said the project would benefit more than 50,000 families in Old Guntur. He added that the matter was brought to Mr. Pemmasani's attention and subsequently taken up with the Railway authorities to secure the necessary funding.

Railway Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) Ramesh provided technical details of the upgrade. He said the drainage infrastructure would be enhanced to handle more than 25 cubic metres of additional flow. The funds for this financial year have been sanctioned, and the remaining works are scheduled to be completed after the monsoon season. Measures are also being taken to prevent waste from entering the drainage system, which should reduce blockages and maintain the system's efficiency over time.

Residents of Old Guntur have long complained about the inadequate drainage network, which frequently led to waterlogging and health hazards during the rainy season. The modernisation is expected to bring significant relief, especially to low-lying areas. The project is part of broader efforts to improve urban infrastructure in Guntur, aligning with the city's growing needs.