Right to Information Wiki

Drainage / Sewerage Complaint RTI — overflow, blockage, repair (2026)

Drainage / sewer blockage or overflow ignored by ULB. RTI for repair-roster, contractor info, monsoon-readiness fund use. Template + case law (2026).

Drainage / Sewerage Complaint RTI — overflow, blockage, repair (2026)

Drainage / Sewerage Complaint RTI — overflow, blockage, repair (2026)

Drainage maintenance is a Municipal core function under the 12th Schedule of the Constitution.

Why this RTI works

Drainage maintenance is a Municipal core function under the 12th Schedule of the Constitution. RTI to the Junior Engineer / Executive Engineer of the ULB compels disclosure of complaint disposal, contractor accountability, and monsoon-readiness fund use.

  • RTI Act, 2005 §6, §7(1), §4(1)(b)(xii).
  • 74th Constitutional Amendment, 12th Schedule — Municipal functions including drainage.
  • Solid Waste / Storm-Water Drainage Rules of the State.
  • Bombay HC v. BMC slum records (2021) — ULB infrastructure records disclosable.

RTI template — copy & file

To:
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
[Office name + address].

Subject: RTI under §6 — Drainage / Sewerage Complaint query

Sir/Madam,

Under the RTI Act, 2005, kindly provide:

1. Status of complaint No. [NUMBER] dated [DATE] re drainage blockage at
   [LOCATION], Ward [NUMBER].
2. Repair / maintenance roster for the said drain for FY [YEAR-YEAR].
3. Contractor details (name, contract no., contract value, period).
4. Storm-water drainage / monsoon-readiness fund utilisation for Ward [NUMBER]
   in FY [YEAR-YEAR].
5. Junior Engineer + Executive Engineer assigned to Ward [NUMBER].
6. Action taken on prior complaints in last 12 months.

Rs. 10 IPO enclosed.

Yours faithfully,
[Name]
[Address + phone + email]
[Date]

Escalation timeline

  • Day 31 — First Appeal to FAA.
  • Day 76 — Second Appeal to SIC.
  • Parallel — National Green Tribunal (NGT) for monsoon-flooding harm.
  • Parallel — High Court PIL for chronic ULB inaction.

Case law anchors

  • Bombay HC v. BMC slum records (2021) — ULB infrastructure records disclosable.
  • Centre for Equity Studies v. UoI (CIC, 2017) — Proactive disclosure for welfare / public works.

Common mistakes

  • Filing to State PWD instead of ULB (when ULB owns the drain).
  • Not enclosing complaint number or photo of overflow.
  • Asking only 'why is drain blocked' — too narrow.

Frequently asked questions

Difference between ULB drain and PWD drain?

ULB owns lane / colony drains; State PWD owns trunk / main drains. Check who built / maintains it.

Can I file NGT petition?

Yes, especially for monsoon flooding causing health / property loss.

Sources

  • RTI Act, 2005 — full text.
  • Citation chain in body.
  • Citizen Charter of the relevant authority.
  • Case-law database at /cases/search.

Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.

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