HC lens on Cuttack box drain length

Cuttack: The Orissa high court on Monday said it will limit its scrutiny on the box drain project in Cuttack to the dispute over reduction in its length by 810 metres when the matter is taken up for hearing on April 2.The high court was monitoring progress of the box drain project as part of a PIL on civic problems in the city.The two-judge bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Arindam Sinha said it will close hearing on the progress of the box drain project of 2,690 metres after amicus curiae N K Mohanty stated the stretch will be completed by March 31.Taking note of a plea seeking intervention against cutting short the project, the bench said it appears there is some element of dissatisfaction over the decision to have an open drain stretch of 810 m. It has been argued that keeping that part of the drain open will not serve public purpose and if it is technically possible, the length of the drain should be covered up, the bench said.Originally, the 3.5-km long box drain was planned over the main storm water channel (MSWC)–1 from Buxi Bazar to Matru Bhawan through Patapole. Apart from easing traffic, it was planned to prevent unhygienic conditions and stench.But Water Corporation of Odisha (Watco), which is implementing the project, has now decided to construct 2,690 m of the box drain till Chatra Bazar and leave open the rest 810 m till Matru Bhawan.

Drunk NRI falls into drain, dies

Varinder Singh Gill, an NRI from Australia, died after falling into a drain in Malaoud, Khanna. Doctors believe he died of a brain injury. Inquest proceedings have been initiated under section 174 of the CrPc. DSP Payal Nikhil Garg ruled out foul play.

Shahdara drain bridge to have a vertical garden too

The CEO found that the paint had faded in some places and directed officials to fix these issues. He also directed them to set up proper lights at the underpass to facilitate commuters and cover stinky local drains. The Noida Authority issued a tender for implementing and maintaining a vertical garden.