Instagram · May 19, 2026
Bihar's Dysfunctional Drains: Roads Flood as Engineers Build Above and Below Level
A reporter highlights the poor drainage system in Bihar, showing a flooded road with two drains on either side, one above and one below the road level, neither of which is effectively draining the water, causing inconvenience to pedestrians.
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The video accurately highlights a significant and persistent issue of dysfunctional drainage systems in Bihar, particularly in urban areas like Patna. Multiple reports from various news outlets and government directives confirm that poor planning, faulty construction, and inadequate maintenance of drains frequently lead to severe waterlogging and flooding, even after new projects are undertaken.
Specifically, the claim of drains being constructed at incorrect levels, such as above road level, is corroborated by news reports. For instance, a February 2026 directive from the Bihar government's Road Construction Department banned unauthorized road elevation, acknowledging that such practices contributed to flooding and poor drainage.
A March 2026 YouTube video explicitly titled 'Drain above the house, amazing feat of engineers in the capital of Bihar' details a situation where drains are built so high that water enters homes instead of draining, directly supporting the video's central visual and verbal claims about a drain being 'two feet up' and another being ineffective. The video's depiction of a flooded road where water is not entering the drains, causing inconvenience to pedestrians, is consistent with numerous accounts of daily life disruption due to waterlogging in Bihar.
The sarcastic reference to 'successful engineers' is understandable given the documented failures in infrastructure projects. The mention of 'Nitish ji ka sarkar' is also relevant, as the Nitish Kumar government has faced criticism and has been actively involved in addressing (or attempting to address) these long-standing drainage issues.
Recent reports from May 2026 indicate ongoing efforts by the Bihar government to strengthen drainage systems and address waterlogging ahead of the monsoon season, underscoring the continued relevance of these problems. [1][2][3]