BMC Takes Urgent Action to Resolve Chronic Waterlogging on Key City Artery
Bhubaneswar: A long-standing waterlogging problem plaguing the busy Cuttack-Puri road is finally being addressed through decisive action by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). The civic body has launched an intensive project to revive the parallel stormwater drainage system along both sides of the crucial 5-kilometer stretch between Kalpana Square and Rasulgarh Square.
Removing Encroachments to Restore Drain Functionality
The stormwater drain, designed to channel rainwater during heavy downpours, had been severely compromised by extensive encroachments over time. Commercial establishments, residential apartments, general retail outlets, and even critical power infrastructure including transformers and electric poles had allegedly occupied the drainage space, rendering it ineffective.
BMC personnel, supported by excavators and specialized machinery, are now working on a war footing to clear these obstructions and reconstruct the drainage system. The urgency stems from the need to complete the project before the imminent monsoon season, ensuring residents experience relief from the annual flooding nightmare.
Mayor Emphasizes Project Importance and Progress
City Mayor Sulochana Das highlighted the significance of this long-pending initiative, stating, "This is one of the important and long-pending projects. The encroachment has now been removed over the drain, irrespective of status and type. Construction is going on parallelly to ensure timely completion of the project."
The Cuttack-Puri road, part of National Highway 316, represents one of Bhubaneswar's oldest and most vital transportation corridors. Despite being a four-lane thoroughfare, it has suffered from multiple persistent issues including unauthorized encroachments, chaotic parking arrangements, unregulated street vending, and most critically, severe waterlogging during rainfall.
Chronic Waterlogging Affects Multiple Neighborhoods
During heavy precipitation, several sections of this important road experience acute flooding, including:
- Bomikhal
- Laxmisagar
- Ice Factory Lane
- Old Station Bazaar
- Rasulgarh
- Satya Nagar bridge
The absence of a functional drainage system prevents stormwater from properly flowing out, creating hazardous conditions for both commuters and local residents. The waterlogging not only causes major traffic disruptions and congestion but also leads to stormwater entering homes when drainage pathways are blocked.
Technical Solution: Box Drain Construction
The contractor responsible for the project is implementing a technical solution by constructing a box drain system. This involves simultaneous construction from both the Kalpana and Rasulgarh sides, with the completed drain designed to carry stormwater and discharge it into the confluence point of drain number 10 at Bomikhal.
Resident Perspectives on the Infrastructure Challenge
Akshya Jena, a resident of GGP Colony and regular commuter on the road, shared his observations: "I am a regular commuter on the road. I saw authorities widen the road a few years back after removing encroachments. The drain remained to be revived, which is being done now."
Jena pointed out the particular danger of electrical infrastructure blocking drainage pathways, noting, "It is dangerous to find electric poles and small transformers blocking the drain. We blame the people for encroachment, but electricity authorities are responsible for the illegal work."
The BMC's proactive measures represent a significant step toward resolving a chronic urban infrastructure problem that has affected thousands of residents and commuters for years. The successful completion of this drainage revival project before monsoon could dramatically improve mobility and living conditions along this important transportation corridor.
