ROURKELA: The district headquarters town of Sundargarh is unlikely to get any respite from water-logging during monsoon this year also as temporary measures to streamline the faulty drainage system seem inadequate.
Having a population of 50,000 and comprising 19 municipality wards, the town has not witnessed any major rain related problem in June as it received only 85 mm rainfall in the month. But on Tuesday, life was thrown out of gear in several thickly populated areas due to water-logging after 48 mm rainfall was received on the day.
Municipality Chairman Benudhar Tandia said the main drain passes through Thanapara, Brahmanpara, Regent Market area, Sweeperpara, Masjidpara and other areas before joining Ib river. "As encroachments on the main drain in several areas affected cleaning operation, a special eviction drive was conducted recently despite resistance in vulnerable pockets," he said.
Pointing at the faulty drainage network, Councillor HS Sarangi said most of the drains do not have systematic exit point for smooth discharge of rainwater. "After heavy rain, several areas in Wards 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 14 were waterlogged. In absence of planned drainage system, the sub-drains in majority of the Wards discharge filthy water into natural drains running through the localities," he said.
Though the Public Works Department had constructed big drains near Medical Chowk, Regent Market, Sankara, Niranjannagar, College Road and Dengibadi about two and a half years back, exit points were not provided for discharge of rainwater, he said.
The areas which are vulnerable to water-logging are Regent Market, Dengibadi, Ranibagicha, Sankara, Mahadevpada, Khamaripada, Patrapada, Mohantiapada, Panaspada, Thanapada, Masjidpada and Rangadhipa. Md Kalim of Masjidpara said after heavy rain last year, filthy rainwater overflowing from a drain entered his house. "Majidpara and adjacent localities face water-logging when five ponds located in Ward 5 start overflowing and the main drain fails to discharge water," he said.
However, the Councillor said on the initiative of Sundargarh district administration, the Minor Irrigation Division will develop a natural drain with an estimated budget of Rs 1.21 crore. It will pass through Wards 1, 16, 18 and 19 and discharge rainwater into river Ib after treatment.