Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 18: The threat of massive waterlogging looms large as work on the Jaydev Vihar drainage channel four is yet to be started despite the monsoon being about two months away.
The area is prone to waterlogging because of its low gradient and the rampant encroachments that have blocked the natural drainage channel. The incessant rains and lack of proper drainage result in massive waterlogging every year, which creates a lot of difficulties for the people living in nearby areas such as Jaydev Vihar.
The city enforcement monitoring committee headed by Chief Secretary GC Pati had ensured that encroachments were razed May 24, 2014, after obtaining clearances from the High Court. The court had March 6, 2014, vacated the stay order that was given March 3, 2006, after a group of people who had encroached upon drainage approached the court against the razing of the structures by the government.
Officials of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), general administration department (BDA) and the drainage division (Cuttack) had pulled down illegal portions of 23 plots encroaching upon the drainage channel.
The drive was aimed at facilitating quick construction of drainage channel four. The drain was planned to be covered completely and the road excavated to help build the drain.
However, the ground work did not start.
“The drain’s original course was a narrow basin situated on private land. During torrential rains, this was leading to inundation of the adjoining areas. That is why the diversion was proposed in the comprehensive development plan (CDP). Work was stalled because of the legal tangles. BMC had considered building the drain with expertise from the drainage division but nothing has happened,” a senior said BMC official said on condition of anonymity.
BMC city engineer BK Parida was not available for comment despite repeated attempts.
