Rattled with the criticism following waterlogging throwing life out of gear in the State capital, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) slapped a show-cause notice on the Nayapalli-based Hotel Presidency seeking explanation from it for its encroachment on land near National Highway-16 which allegedly led to inundation of the NH and the adjoining Iskcon temple.
The BMC letter stated that the hotel is “misutilising the encroached land for parking of vehicles, discharging polluted water, causing insanitary condition in the area and for installing a generator on the Government land adjoining the hotel.”
The hotel authorities were questioned “why suitable action should not be initiated against the hotel under relevant provisions of the OMC Act, 2003 read with BMC Users Charges Resolution, 2015”.
An explanation has been sought within a week, failing which the BMC authorities would take appropriate action against the hotel.
It may be noted that severe waterlogging gripped the NH-16 near the Iskcon temple after the recent heavy downpours triggering criticisms from several quarters.
Meanwhile, the management of the Iskcon temple has also been issued a similar notice by the BMC asking them to explain the “unauthorised and illegal” encroachment made by them on the road and in its premises. The encroachment has prevented a proper drainage of rainwater, causing insanitary condition in the area, stated the notice.