In Odisha BMC, CMC asked to desilt major drains thrice a year to tackle urban flooding

BHUBANESWAR: With Bhubaneswar and Cuttack reeling under severe waterlogging during heavy rains and monsoon season, the state administration has asked civic bodies of the Twin City to take up drainage desiltation work thrice a year.

Key points

• Mahapatra additionally set an ambitious target for BMC and CMC to secure Rank 1 in the national Swachhata rankings.
• He additionally asked office-holders to fast-track drainage interventions in Behera Sahi and strengthen integrated road-cum-drain infrastructure at critical locations throughout BMC.
• BMC authorities stated the project work will be taken up at a cost of around `24 crore.
• He additionally asked authorities concerned to explore deployment of high-tech machinery for mechanised drain cleaning and ensure that major drains are systematically desilted.
• On sanitation, the minister directed authorities to adopt innovative, technology-based solutions to address persistent garbage accumulation and foul odour, including at locations such as the Sainik School area.

Housing and Urban Development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra. This person chaired a review session on sanitation, drainage and urban flood mitigation measures in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) areas on Thursday, directed both the agencies to adopt a proactive and technology-driven approach to drainage management.

Meanwhile, the order was issued after expert assessments pointed to narrowed drains and heavy silt accumulation of up to 3-4 feet at a number of locations, reducing the carrying capacity of the drainage network in both the cities.

"Desiltation of major drains in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will now be undertaken thrice a year as part of intensified measures to tackle recurring waterlogging and urban flooding, " Mahapatra directed. He additionally asked authorities concerned to explore deployment of high-tech machinery for mechanised drain cleaning and ensure that major drains are systematically desilted.

Meanwhile, the minister additionally called on installation of advanced flood sensors at strategic locations and their integration with the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) to enable realtime monitoring, early identification of feasible inundation and timely alerts to vulnerable areas.

Reviewing preventive measures for spots highly vulnerable to urban flooding, Mahapatra directed early completion of the ongoing drainage project near ISKCON temple for a permanent solution to waterlogging in the area. He additionally asked office-holders to fast-track drainage interventions in Behera Sahi and strengthen integrated road-cum-drain infrastructure at critical locations throughout BMC.

Mahapatra additionally set an ambitious target for BMC and CMC to secure Rank 1 in the national Swachhata rankings. Referring to Bhubaneswar's earlier 9th position in its category, he called upon both ULBs to intensify sanitation efforts in mission mode and focus on visible and sustainable improvements. BMC floats tender for 3.19-km stormwater channel near ISKCON.

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has floated a tender for construction of a 3.19-km underground stormwater channel from near ISKCON temple to major drainage channel no 4 at Vani Vihar to accord with recurring waterlogging near the shrine. BMC authorities stated the project work will be taken up at a cost of around `24 crore. It will run parallel to NH-16 via Jayadev Vihar to resolve the severe flooding on the temple stretch during heavy rains.

Taken together, the developments around in Odisha BMC, CMC asked to desilt major drains thrice a year point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.