Drone survey: Major drain in Odisha capital not de-silted for years; residents fume

Bhubaneswar: Waterlogging has become a perinneal issue in the Odisha capital, especially in monsoon with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) failing to address the issue in the temple city.

Even a short spell of rain leaves many areas including the famous Lingaraj Temple in Old Town and places adjacent to it waterlogged. The residents alleged that the temple city that witnesses huge footfall every day has turned into a waterlogged city.

Following repeated complaints by residents about the poor drainage system at Old Town area here, a drone survey was conducted recently to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.

According to the report, the rainwater of Old Town area gets discharged into Gangua nallah on the outskirts of the city through the Drainage Channel No.7 that starts from Baramunda and passes through Bank Colony behind Naveen Niwas, Ratha Road, Sanitarium Chhak, Kedargouri and Lewis Road, in the city. Even unseason rain in the area leaves many houses inundated.

A drone survey revealed that the Drainage Channel No.7 is awaiting de-siltation indicating that the rejuvenation work of the water channel has not been undertaken for years.

The BMC has landed in the dock as huge funds are being spent every year in the name of drain cleaning work, but the residents face tough time when drain water enter their houses following rainfall. The poor maintenance of the drain clearly indicates inefficiency as well as misappropriation of government funds.

During rainy season, the Drainage Channel No.7 from Railway culvert till Ratha Road passing through Barik Sahi and Bank Colony gives sleepless nights to the residents. They alleged that not a single agency of the government has ever taken up the de-silting work of the drain in these areas. The major drain is passes through a residential areas and acres of land belonging to Lord Lingaraj. Due to lack of maintenance of the drain, some portions of it have been buried resulting in constriction of its width.

“The drain water coming from the high-lying areas is making its way to residential areas. The waterlogging provides a breeding ground for moquitoes and other pests. Even the drain water is entering the houses during rainy season and damages furnitures and household articles worth lakhs,” said Yadumani Behera, a resident of Bank Colony.

The condition is no different in areas between the Ratha Road and Sanitarium Chhak where the drain has shrunk. The size of a large drain should be atleast 10 ft deep and 15 ft wide. However, the drain is found only 2ft wide in some places in the drone survey. Even the drain on roadside has been buried by more than 5ft. This leads to hindrance in evacuation of the drain water.

The residents in Old Town have demanded the BMC to take steps in this regard to address their woes.