Residents of New Barracks Street under Ward-19 have expressed resentments alleging that the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has not resolved drainage problem in their area despite repeated requests.
According to information, a representative team led by social worker Kishore Chandra Panda met BeMC Commissioner Chakravarti Singh Rathore and submitted a memorandum to him last week demanding immediate repair of a drain and uprooting of an old coconut tree blocking free flow of water in the drain. Though Rathore had reportedly assured the delegation to look into the matter, but no action has been taken yet.
Sources said the coconut tree, which grew on its own just on the middle the of the municipal sewerage drain, is preventing free flow of waste water and causes stagnation of wastewater and materials. Then, the overflowed drain water enters houses, causing serious inconvenience to the residents. It has been a breeding place of mosquitoes.
However, the BeMC simply avoid its responsibility on the plea that it can’t cut the tree as that comes under the Forest Department.
“It is an unwanted tree. It causes harm to residents in many ways. Its roots have also cracked some houses. The BeMC should not take any plea to cut the tree as it is only causing harms to residents,” demanded residents.
Notably, the drain passes through backside houses of Food Suplies and Consumer Welfare Minister SN Patra and former Deputy Speaker of State Assembly Rama Chandra Panda, journalist P Das and may other persons.
The BeMC authorities should rethink to get the work done in greater public interest instead of rules that are redundant and hostile to the public, feel intellectuals.