Bhubaneswar Civic Body Takes Action on Clogged Drains Following Citizen Reports
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a proactive initiative to address the growing problem of clogged open drains across the city. This decision comes in direct response to multiple complaints filed by concerned citizens through official reporting portals, highlighting the severe blockage caused by improper waste disposal from street food vendors.
Citizen Reports Expose Drainage Crisis
Several residents have voiced their frustrations about the deteriorating drainage situation in Bhubaneswar. Soumyadeep Mitra, who submitted a report on the TOI Citizen Reporter portal, emphasized the lack of regular inspections. "There is absolutely no inspection of internal drains in Bhubaneswar," Mitra wrote. "Most of the internal drains are clogged by leftover food and plastic and paper containers, as food vendors don't keep dustbins."
Another citizen reporter, Kalinga Keshari Mohapatra, pointed out the fundamental purpose of these drainage systems. "Drains along sub-arteries are there to direct stormwater as well as household liquid waste. But the scene in the capital city is different," Mohapatra noted. "The drains serve as dumping stations for roadside eateries to dump waste. The BMC sanitation team should wake up."
Widespread Problem Across Key Locations
Investigations revealed that numerous open drains in prominent areas have become severely choked with garbage, predominantly food waste. Affected locations include:
- Infocity Square
- Trident Square
- Multiple spots in Nayapalli
- Rasulgarh
- Kharavela Nagar
- Salia Sahi
- Ekamra Kanan
Sripad Behera, a resident of Nayapalli, explained the oversight in current sanitation practices. "BMC has sanitation teams that take garbage from the designated dustbins and through door-to-door collection. Also, roadside pile-up points are attended to, but the drains are overlooked," Behera stated.
BMC's Comprehensive Response Strategy
In response to these mounting concerns, BMC deputy commissioner (sanitation) N Ganesh Babu outlined the corporation's multi-pronged approach. "Drains can't be left to be filled with food waste — cups, plates, and leftover food," Babu asserted. "We asked the sanitary teams to check open drains where vendors dump food packets. Initially, the vendors will be also sensitised on how to avoid choking drains and adopt the practice of disposing of waste in dustbins."
The sanitation wing of BMC has confirmed that special inspections of drains are routinely conducted, particularly during monsoon seasons to prevent littering. A new special drive is now being implemented to address this specific issue. "Actually, there are some drains, which have been newly constructed, which need to be covered with slabs. Some are covered, but many are left," Babu added. "Once all the drains are covered, vendors can't dump waste into them."
Educational Initiatives for Sustainable Solutions
Beyond immediate cleanup efforts, the civic body plans to implement educational demonstrations for food vendors. Many vendors currently install dustbins but fail to encourage customers to use them properly. BMC aims to demonstrate correct waste disposal practices to ensure long-term solutions to the drainage problem.
This comprehensive approach combines immediate action with preventive measures and community education, representing a significant step toward improving urban sanitation and drainage infrastructure in Bhubaneswar.
