Defunct drainage system is a problem with many wards in the capital city here, leading to flooding and water logging not just during rainy season but all the time.The locals of laxmi Vihar (ward no 12) under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) are facing the worst due to the defunct drainage system.
As many as 12 families staying in three houses in the low lying area of the ward are forced to shut them inside their houses due to stink coming out of blocked sewage water. But the problem does not stop here as the pools of water breed mosquitoes and spread malaria and other diseases in the vicinity.
The roads of laxmi Vihar area often remain overflowed with the waste water of the upper-lying houses. It has become a serious problem for the locals but none is prepared to pay heed to the complaints of the residents.
The locals have been trying to draw the attention of the administration since several years, but nothing tangible has happened so far. House no 41, 42 and 46 are unable to drain out their waste water due to the stagnant drain, which has led to the formation of a ‘drain-pond’ in front of the houses.
On February 1, 2012, the locals had written a letter to the BMC Mayor and Commissioner about the horrible drainage system. On July 27, another letter was written to the DCP, Tehsildar, BMC Commissioner and the Mayor. At last a BMC official came and reviewed the problem. He stated that the low lying houses have encroached land of the BMC, which the administration would use for developing the drainage system.
“But to adding the woe, no step has been taken yet. It is a serious case of neglecting people at the behest of vested interest. We’ll hold demonstration against the BMC officials if proper steps are not taken at the earliest,” said a few locals of the ward.