Cuttack, Jan. 24: Bad roads and dysfunctional drains have been plaguing the Markatnagar housing project area.

In spite of demonstrations by local residents, the situation has not improved in the area, which was built by the Cuttack Development Authority.

This issue features prominently in the agenda of candidates contesting from the wards in that area.

Following a PIL, Orissa High Court has been monitoring renovation of the sewerage and improvement in the condition of roads for over two years now.

However, the sewerage system is yet to be restored and not all roads have been repaired. The area has been a stronghold of the BJD. But the BJP and the Congress, who have a sizable support base here, hope to do some serious damage to the ruling party this time.

Markatnagar had been developed as a housing project area by the development authority in the 1980s. The area originally came under ward Nos. 3 and 2. After delimitation, it has now been split into ward Nos. 4,5 and 6. These three seats are reserved for backward class women. The area has around 17,000 voters.

“The defunct drains and dysfunctional sewer treatment plant shows that the Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) has not done anything under the BJD government,” said senior BJP leader Samir Dey, who is a resident of the area.

A Odisha Water Supply and Sewerage Board report said storm water pipes needed immediate cleaning and the entire infrastructure was on the verge of collapse and needed major repairs.

Also, the 2.5km stretch of the main road from JPM eye hospital in sector 6 to the market complex near sector 9, a very busy stretch, was in a terrible state till the high court intervened.

“What can be more unfortunate for the people of the area if road repair and renovation is taken up after intervention of the high court, and that too after repeated orders,” said Kshirod Rout, a local resident.

The CDA housing project area has nearly 74km of roads. A high court constituted high-level technical committee of engineers had recommended reconstruction of 39km of damaged roads and conversion of 18km, which became waterlogged during rain, to concrete.

Ward No. 3 BJD councillor Hrushikesh Dehury said: “Work on the development of major roads is in progress. Street lighting has been improved with installation of 18 semi-high mast lights. Sanitation has been improved by ensuring timely sweeping and collection of garbage.”

As the ward is now No. 6 and reserved for backward class candidates, the BJD has dropped Hrushikesh and fielded Sanjukta Sahu, a resident of sector 6.

Incidentally, Sanjukta is the wife of Gadadhar Sahu, a lawyer and joint secretary of Markatnagar Residents Association, which had spearheaded the protests against the dysfunctional sewerage and precarious road conditions.

The sitting BJD councillor’s wife Sangita Rout is contesting from ward No. 6 as an Independent candidate because the BJD rejected his application for a ticket to his wife.

The Congress and BJP have fielded candidates in all the three wards in the area. While the Odisha Jan Morcha has not fielded candidates in these wards, Ama Odisha has fielded independent candidates in ward Nos. 4 and 5.

A total of 350 candidates remain in the fray for the 59-ward Cuttack Municipal Corporation after 31 candidates withdrew their nominations today.