Post News Network
Cuttack, Jan 29: The silver city’s sewerage system continues to be clogged with polythene despite the Cuttack Municipal Corporation banning its use back in 2011.
Sources said over 200 tractor loads of garbage, comprising mostly polythene, was taken out of the main storm water drain at Matru Bhawan in the past two weeks. Experts suggest the city generates around 200 tonnes of solid waste daily.
“Polythene bags and other non-biodegradable products are obstructing the flow of sewerage pipes, often resulting in overflowing and choking of the drains,” a CMC officer said.
The city’s drainage system comprises two main storm water channels stretching up to 25km, a 29-km network of branch drains, and 72 km of tertiary drains with surface water channels measuring up to 660 km.
Complaints are pouring in from all parts of the city regarding drains that have been clogged with polythene bags and heaps of garbage. A senior municipal official said the civic body spends in excess of `1 crore per year to remove silt from the main and branch storm water channels.
CMC commissioner Gyana Ranja Das said a shortage of staff resulted in the present situation. Raids will be conducted on polythene distributors and teams will be formed to ensure implementation of the ban, he added.
