Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar and Guntur East MLA Naseer Ahmad on Friday (August 14, 2026) laid the foundation stone for the modernisation of the long-pending Mondigate drainage system, at a cost of ₹6.23 crore in Railway funds.

Mr. Pemmasani said the drainage outlet now handled around 30,000 litres of sewage, but that during heavy rains, sewage and stormwater overflowed into residential areas. The upgraded system would increase discharge capacity to about 50,000 litres, providing a permanent solution to a problem that had persisted for 40 to 50 years, he said.

Works are being taken up at Rajiv Gruhakalpa, Gottala Road, Venkatarama Theatre and Ziauddin Nagar. Mr. Pemmasani said the project would also address drainage-related problems faced by farmers in surrounding areas.

Mr. Naseer Ahmad said the project would benefit more than 50,000 families in Old Guntur. He said the issue had been brought to Dr. Pemmasani’s attention and taken up with the Railway authorities.

Railway Additional Divisional Railway Manager Ramesh said the drainage infrastructure would be upgraded to handle more than 25 cubic metres of additional flow. Funds had been sanctioned this year, and the remaining works would be completed after the monsoon. Measures were also being taken to prevent waste from entering the drainage system.

Published - August 14, 2026 04:14 pm IST