I work with sewer workers in Ahmedabad, and solid waste in pipes are a routine problem. While what you've pointed out in your photos refers to storm water drainage issues, solid waste is not the only reason why both sewers and storm water pipes are choked up across India. There are illegal connections being made between the two systems as a "quick-fix" for choked pipes, which means that it's not simply rain water that's flooding the streets, but raw sewage. I am not aware of who municipalities employ to clean out solid waste from storm water drains, as sewer workers are only called out to specific manholes where residents are complaining about sewage flow. It would be interesting to see exactly who is supposed to be responsible for cleaning these out!

Published September 23, 2013 20:30 by Stephanie Tam, WASH Expert at Cooperazione Internazionale