Jharpada residents upset with poor drainage facilities

BHUBANESWAR: Drains overflowing onto major areas of Jharpada is no longer just a monsoon problem. The drainage system in the area is so poor that even a-30 minute downpour is enough to flood the areas.
On October 12, when cyclone Phailin hit Odisha coast, the situation was so bad that the Garage Chhak-Palasuni bypass had to be cut to save the area from being flooded.The locals feel the problem has gone worse because of poor planning and lack of coordination between various government agencies like BDA, BMC, water resources and public health department.
The residents are now demanding the construction of a 'broad crested weir' at the spot, where the road has been cut, so that drain number 10 can be directly connected to Daya West Canal. Although the road was cut in presence of city mayor Ananta Narayan Jena and BMC officials, but the road continues to be disconnected.
Retired chief engineer (water resources) Prashant Kumar Barik pointed out that drain number 10 that was constructed in 1962, badly needs renovation.
Filled with weeds and garbage, the Daya West Canal, which passes at the heart of Jharpada too has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other harmful insects. Several lane roads in the locality are filled with potholes and need urgent repair. Major parts of the locality are devoid of pipe water supply and sewerage channels.
Another resident Sasmita Das said, "Apart from waterlogging and drainage problems, we often find snakes entering our houses. Since the entire locality is filled with litters and choked overflowing drains, so it has become a paradise for snakes."
On the civic woes in the area, city mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said, "It is true that drainage is a major challenge in Jharpada. We have to link drain number 10 and Daya West Canal in such a way that in monsoon, the water is released faster and there is no flooding. We are ready to spend more, but there has to be a permanent solution."