Traffic trouble in Jagamara

BHUBANESWAR: Traffic jam in the busy Jagamara-Delta Square Road in the capital at peak hours is a regular sight.
With rampant encroachment, the road has almost been reduced to half of its original width leading to traffic congestion for long hours.
"Encroaching roads and drains is a common problem in our locality. Some even pile construction materials on the narrow roads.At times, even two vehicles cannot pass from opposite directions side by side. The situation worsens in monsoon with no proper drainage facility. Pedestrians and drivers often have to pass through knee-deep water," said Nachiketa Sharma, a resident of the area.
Heaps of garbage on the roads and choked old drains badly in need of urgent repair is a common sight in Jagamara, Barabari and its adjoining areas. Besides, in some parts there is no drain at all. As a result the roads are completely flooded even after a 10-minute shower.
"We have written a number of times to civic authorities to rein in the encroachers and repair old drains, but no one listens to our repeated pleas," rued Birendra Nayak, a retired professor of Utkal University.
Another resident Dibyasingh Padhi supplemented, "A contractor, who owns a plot near the approach road regularly piles construction materials and bamboos on the road, which covers the road and the drain as well. Since he is very influential, we have no option but to bear the congestion and water logging."
Drinking water is another major issue in the locality. In some areas, there is no piped water supply and people are forced to use the boring water or tubewells, which has very high iron content.
City mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said, "The BMC enforcement squad even demolished some illegal constructions made in Jagamara, Barabari and its adjoining areas. We have got complains of more such encroachments and we would take action any time. The drain repair works would resume in late October."