Overflowing drains plague Sikkim's Lumsey, turning daily commuting into nightmare

An overflowing drainage system has troubled residents of Lumsey, in Sikkim's Gangtok, for over a year, with sewage water flooding the main road and making daily commuting a nightmare.
 

Pedestrians and vehicles are forced to wade through dirty water, causing severe inconvenience and health risks.
 

According to Santha, a resident of Lumsey and a daily commuter, the situation has only worsened due to a broken drainage system. 
 

“Due to a drainage break, sewage water enters the road, making it very difficult to cross. At times, speedy vehicles splash the dirty water on passersby, which is very unpleasant. It is also a serious health hazard,” she said while urging authorities to take immediate action.
 

Several other residents have echoed similar concerns, stating that repeated complaints to local authorities over the past year have yielded no concrete action. 
 

Despite multiple appeals to officials, including senior administrators, the issue remains unresolved for over a year. 
 

The affected stretch is a crucial route leading to various schools, forcing students to walk through unhygienic conditions daily. Parents and teachers have voiced their frustration over the lack of response, fearing health risks for children.
 

Ironically, the area is home to several VIP residences, including those of senior government officials IAS residentials and politicians. However, since they travel by vehicles, they do not face the same hardships as ordinary pedestrians.