CUTTACK: In a bid to resolve the pertinent issue of waterlogging in the city, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) had come up with a plan to desilt all drains within its jurisdiction by March this year. But even as two months have passed, the task is yet to be completed.
Drain desilting and cleaning of sewer lines is a vital part of CMC’s monsoon preparedness. While the work begins by April, it is completed by the first week of June. The civic body had this year changed its strategy and set a target to accomplish the task by March this year.
As part of the plan, barring the two major storm water channels, desilting of 519.66 km surface drains, 130.34 km major surface drains, 29 km branch storm water channel and 1,028 km earthen drains across 59 wards in the city was entrusted to three outsourcing agencies- Manjushree, Jagruti and Pratyush.
However, while cleaning of the branch storm channel is yet to start, hardly 50 per cent of the desilting of the stretched surface drains and major drains has been completed so far. The rest of the drains are lying choked with silt, garbage and waste.
Sources said the drain desilting work is getting delayed as the outsourcing agencies do not have the machines required for the purpose. The city had witnessed its worst ever waterlogging issue in 2007 when most of the localities remained submerged for two days.
Taking note of the matter, the Orissa High Court had directed CMC to complete desilting and maintenance work of drains by May 31 every year. But the civic body has not been able to complete the work on time apparently due to lack of proper planning and coordination.
While mayor Subhas Singh said the drain desilting work would be intensified so that it is completed before monsoon, general manager (drainage) of WATCO Achyuta Bijayananda Behera said desilting of the two major storm water channels commenced three days back and would be completed by June 15.