SUNDARGARH:Sundargarh town is on an unplanned growth mode with several new projects, including two Greenfield power projects, coming up in the vicinity. Sundargarh Municipality does not have a comprehensive development plan in place, including revamping of old drainage system.
Construction is underway for 3,200 Mega Watt (MW) Darlipali Super Thermal Power Plant of NTPC and civil works would soon start near the town for the 4,000 MW Ultra Mega Power Project at Lankahuda. NTPC is also setting up a Medical College & Hospital at Sundargarh and MCL has planned a 1600 MW power project, at a site 50 km away from the town.
Despite these new projects, there has been no broad outlook to convert the town into a planned one.
Former president of Sundargarh District Bar Association Jugal Kishore Thakur said building plans were earlier approved haphazardly leading to unplanned growth. This is now preventing expansion of roads and the drainage system. Today, areas like Nuaamlipali, Tal Sankara, Maheshdihi and Chitabhang are witnessing rapid urbanisation.
Sundargarh Municipality Councillor HS Sarangi said they have been demanding a master plan for the town and there is an immediate need to set up Sundargarh Regional Improvement Trust. “The civic body has now made it mandatory for every building plan to have provision for 20-feet wide road for getting Municipality approval. Beyond that, the town needs a comprehensive plan for planned growth. Important roads connecting Medical Chhack to Kirei Bypass, Medical Chhack to Bus stand Road and Collectorate to Maheshdihi, cannot be widened with acquisition of additional land,” Sarangi said.
The drainage system is in a mess as both Municipality and PWD drainage channels have been blocked due to encroachment and siltation. Locals said faulty drainage system with encroachment on main drain continues to be a major problem.
The town with a population of 50,000 faced a flood-like situation recently due to faulty drainage system.
Municipality Chairman Benudhar Tandia said a main drain covering six Wards discharges sewerage water into Ib river, while the rest 13 Wards have no major drains. Sewerage water from sub-drains or micro-drains get discharged into natural drains, agricultural lands and Ib river.
Sundargarh Collector BS Poonia said there are mega proposals for drainage system and water supply, but no immediate proposal for CDP.
The town was the capital of the then Gangpur estate during the British rule. After merger of Gangpur and Bonaigarh estates in 1948, Sundargarh town became the district headquarters and subsequently, Sundargarh Municipality was formed in 1951.