A suspected attempt to deliberately block sewer lines has come to light in Varanasi after municipal workers found sacks filled with sand, along with stones, sawdust, plywood and plastic waste, stuffed inside main sewer lines in several areas. The obstructions were found during cleaning operations in around half a dozen wards, including Shivala, Saraynandan and Nagwa.
The discovery has raised concerns about a possible conspiracy to disrupt civic services and cause waterlogging in the city. The Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) has lodged an FIR against unidentified persons, and police are probing the conspiracy angle.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Mayor and Municipal Commissioner alleged a conspiracy behind waterlogging in the city, after cement-filled sacks were found blocking sewers and drains during cleaning, prompting a BJP councillor to file a complaint seeking a police investigation pic.twitter.com/DI3x7M7jeY
— IANS (@ians_india) September 12, 2026
12 sacks of sand recovered from Shivala
During a cleaning operation near Agarwal Radio and Ratnakar Park in Shivala Ward 75, municipal teams recovered around 12 sacks filled with sand from a main sewer line on Friday night, 11th September.
Varanasi Mayor Ashok Tiwari said the manner in which the sacks were placed inside the sewer suggested that the blockage may have been deliberate. “Prima facie, this appears to be part of a major conspiracy. The blockage in the main sewer line caused sewage to overflow into connecting lanes, disrupting daily life and leading to waterlogging,” he said.
According to the civic body’s complaint, the blockage not only disrupted drainage but could also have been intended to tarnish the image of the JalKal Department and the city administration.
Police probe conspiracy angle
The JalKal Department of the Varanasi Nagar Nigam filed a complaint at Bhelupur police station. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Section 326(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to mischief by inundation, against unidentified persons.
Bhelupur station house officer Durga Singh said, “In this connection, based on the complaint, a case under Section 326(c) (mischief by inundation) of the BNS has been registered against unidentified persons.”
Police and municipal officials are now examining CCTV footage from the area to identify those responsible. Officials said similar material, including sand, stones, plywood, wood shavings and plastic waste, has also been found inside sewer lines in other wards.
Municipal commissioner warns of strict action
Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal said anti-social elements could be behind the incident and that the corporation was working to establish how the sewer lines were blocked.
The mayor and municipal commissioner also inspected the affected area as municipal and JalKal teams continued efforts to clear blocked drains and deal with waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Nagpal appealed to residents to immediately inform the municipal corporation if they see anyone tampering with sewer lines or other government property. He said strict legal action would be taken against anyone found involved.
