If you've been cruising down Street 294 in Boeung Keng Kang I lately, you’ve probably spotted the work crews and heavy gear parked along the road. Stretching all the way from Norodom Boulevard to Monivong Boulevard across several local neighborhoods, workers have been out in force clearing out the underground drainage pipes.
According to local reports, the Boeung Keng Kang I commune administration, backed up by the Phnom Penh Department of Public Works and Transport’s suction and dredging teams, moved right into the neighborhood on September 9. Crews have been hard at work sucking out months of accumulated mud, sludge, and everyday household trash. The main goal is to get rainwater flowing smoothly again so the streets don't turn into swimming pools every time it pours, and commuters on moto and bike won't have to wade through knee-deep water.
Of course, keeping the drains clear takes a team effort from the neighborhood. Local authorities are reminding residents and business owners along the street not to dump garbage and debris straight into the drains. If everyone pitches in and watches what they throw out, the streets will stay clear and dry when the next storm hits.
