Bhubaneswar: Following a hue and cry over waterlogging at several low-lying areas in the city, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has decided to restrict the development work in environmentally sensitive zones (ESZ) demarcated in the city master plan.
As per sources, BDA would ask builders and real estate developers to stop construction activities at places which do not comply with adequate drainage support for their projects, even if they have the approval with them.
It was decided to invoke the provisions of newly-amended BDA (Planning and Building Standards) Regulations, 2018 regarding development activity near notified wetlands, lakes, reservoir, low-lying areas, ESZs and water bodies where the building and layout plan approval could only be given if the overall plan has sustainable drainage and low ecological impact based development.
As per the general regulations specified for ESZ, the minimum area for approval is one acre with maximum ground coverage of 40 per cent and there should be an approach road of 12 metres width. It can be mentioned here that the ESZs are not only contributing immensely for recharge of the water table but also helping in containing the excess rainwater when the city experiences heavy rainfall.
However, unplanned urban growth in the ESZs has contributed towards man-made floods and waterlogging, causing distress for the citizens.
“We would not allow any construction in ESZs without proper drainage and accompanying road network. However, approval might be given following adequate drainage and road facilities through Town Planning (TP) scheme only,” said a senior BDA official. As per the BDA database, while the south-east region of the Temple City is having eco-sensitive zones like Lingipur, parts of Sisupalgarh, Badadhanpur, Bamaghai, Bankuala, Badagada, Meherpalli, Kesura, Jharpada and Koradakanta near Pandra are some low-lying areas.
In the north-central region of the city, parts of Chandrasekharpur, Gadakana and Patia are having some low-lying pockets. Some parts of Mancheswar are also under ESZ.
In the northern part of the city, eco-sensitive zones near Nandankanan Biological Park have many Mouzas (revenue units) under which Jujhagarh, Raghunathpur and parts of Daruthenga and Dadha come.
Majority of the eco-sensitive zones were previously used as agricultural lands. However, with the changed land use practices the eco-sensitive zones have suffered a lot.
Underground drains to clear waterlogging on NH
Bhubaneswar: In a bid to resolve waterlogging problems near Iskcon temple and other areas along the National Highway (NH)-16, the state government has decided to construct underground drains for discharge of rainwater.
Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi informed reporters about the decision after holding a high-level meeting in presence of officials of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) here Thursday.
“We have discussed four issues including urban flooding at the meeting. It was decided to construct drainage under the road along the NH near Iskcon temple and beyond that also,” Padhi said. He highlighted that the construction of the drain would be carried out by the Works department and the expenses would be borne by the state government.
Tender will be floated soon and the work will be completed before the next monsoon, he said, adding, NHAI’s chief general manager has agreed to the proposal during the discussion.
Though the area comes under NHAI, the state government will execute the work, he pointed out. The chief secretary further said altogether 20 high power discharge pumps will be provided to the fire brigade here to help them in immediate release of water from the flooded areas in the city. At present, eight such pumps are at their disposal.
Padhi stated that houses and other establishments constructed over natural drains in the city contribute the most to waterlogging. “There are about nine major natural drains in the city. The drains have been obstructed as after settlements and various other reasons, the areas have been converted into private lands,” he said. “So, the illegal encroachment on the drains will be removed,” he added.
