More than 150 acres of land have been under encroachment of some milkmen in the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) and Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) for years. As the land is used for cattle and buffalo pen, they are letting the wastage to the road and nearby colonies.
Consequently, it is not only creating an obnoxious environment but also leading to health and traffic problems. Despite repeated requests to the RSP and the RMC authorities, no steps are taken against the encroachers.
Sources said within RSP residential area in Sector-2 Khariabahal Basti, Sector-6 H Block, Sector-16, Sector-7 E Block, Sector-3 Bolangir Basti, Sector-20 Azad Basti, Mishra Khattal, Nehru Basti, Bondamunda-Bisra Road, Fertilizer area etc. more than 70 khattals have been constructed over 100 acres of land. Similarly, under RMC jurisdiction in Basanti Colony Jharana Basti, DAV Basti, Daily Market Machhli Market, Kalinga Vihar, Gandhi Road, Uditnagar Shitalpara, Panposh, Tarkera, Civil Township, Vedavyas etc. about 50 khattals are there over 50 acres of land.
Though these khattals are more than two decades old creating civic and traffic woes, no appropriate actions are initiated by the administration. Rather due to Bisra-Bondhamunda Road khattal, many accidents are occurred. Similarly, as the khattal owners let their cattle and buffaloes roam on the road, the roads are jammed. Also, more often than not, it leads to accidents.
Besides, due to unhygienic condition in and around khattals, the cases of Dengue patients are going up in the city. So far, about 750 dengue patients are identified in the city out of which 200 are still under treatment in different hospitals of the city. If the situation continues, then how the objectives of the Smart City will be fulfilled, asked many denizens.