CUTTACK: The recklessness of both Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and WATCO in executing different projects has spoiled the festive mood of the residents of Sutahat in Ward no-17 here.
While the civic body has dumped sand and stone chips procured for construction of a concrete road in front of the puja mandap at Sutahat, the trenches dug by WATCO’s drainage division for the box drain project are yet to be filled up in the locality.
Organising secretary of Sri Sri Jay Durga Puja Samiti, Sutahat Biswajit Pandey said, “The puja will start from Wednesday. Is it the right time to construct a concrete road? Though the administration convenes Durga Puja preparatory meeting one month prior to the festival, why was the road not constructed earlier? If construction work starts now, it will obstruct communication and hamper puja celebration.”
Similarly, residents said though the box drain work stretching for around 100 metre from Sutahat Mehboob Pola to New Colony has already been completed, the trenches dug by the agency on both sides are yet to be filled up and restored.
“Instead of filling the trenches with sand, the agency has dumped construction waste on the side of the box drain restricting our movement outside our houses. If someone slips or loses balance, there is a possibility of sustaining head injury or bone fracture,” said Sonalika Nayak, a housewife.
Besides, at least 11 houses developed cracks and were damaged partially when the digging work was carried out by using excavator for construction of the box drain. The damaged houses are yet to be repaired.
“Walls of my house developed cracks during the box drain construction. The house has become unsafe now. While rainwater enters my house through the damaged roof, the cracked walls may cave in anytime. For safety, my four-member family is taking shelter in the neighbour’s house,” rued Sudhansu Nayak.
Nayak further said considering the unsafe condition of the house, he has asked his relatives not to visit him for Durga Puja celebration this year. He claimed repeated complaints to WATCO for repair and restoration of the dug up trenches and damaged houses have not yield any result.
While efforts to elicit response from CMC commissioner Anam Charan Patra and mayor Subhas Singh proved futile, general manager of WATCO’s drainage division Achyuta Bijayananda Behera said repair and restoration of the trenches and damaged houses would be carried out after Durga Puja.