Jose.K Loseph
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, July 10: The works department has woken up from its slumber after Orissa POST highlighted the tardy pace of drainage work at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in its columns recently. The department has completed the construction work for a temporary drainage system at the airport and thus prevented the possibility of water-logging over there.
The newspaper in its June 21 edition headlined ‘Tardy pace of drain construction at BPIA’ had highlighted the inordinate delay in the construction of temporary drainage at the BPIA.
The construction work was handed over to water resources department (WRD). However, the department reportedly made no significant progress in this regard. The newspaper had also reported the issue in its January 30 edition, headlined ‘Airport’s drainage plans remain a far cry’.
Later, a meeting headed by the Chief Secretary handed over the responsibility to works department. The works department also continued to delay the project and the onset of monsoon further added to the delay.
Although the temporary drainage has been constructed, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) engineers told Orissa POST that further delay in construction of permanent drainage can affect the airport too.
Meanwhile, AAI joint general manager of engineering (Civil), Loknath Padhy, said, “The construction of the temporary drainage began after a report was published in Orissa POST and the temporary drainage system is ready now. However, the authorities should put in place a permanent drainage system to avoid water-logging issues at the airport.”
AAI engineers opined that the construction of the permanent drain would start immediately after the end of the rains. Many ornithologists have suggested that sewage and water bodies near the airport areas attract birds and the issues should be addressed without further delay.
