Cuttack, Feb. 4: There seems to be no respite for the residents of sectors 6 and 7 of Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), who have been facing difficulties due to the overflowing of underground sewerage tanks, which have inundated several roads.

“We cannot step out of our homes due to waterlogging. All the underground sewerage tanks are overflowing due to lack of proper measures to clean the drainage channels in the area,” said local resident Dilip Kumar Behera (42).

As a result of waterlogging, the problem of excessive mosquitoes has surfaced in the area. Apart from this, the dilapidated condition of the roads and open manholes have added woes of the local residents.

“The condition of roads is not good and open manholes are another area of concern. One can easily avoid such manholes during the day but it becomes difficult, especially for senior citizens, to walk out of their homes in evening,” said Dilip Kumar Kanungo (62). The residents of Markatnagar had gheraoed the CDA office at Link Road some time ago demanding better civic amenities including better roads and drinking water facilities.

Admitting that there had been problems due to waterlogging in CDA sectors 6 and 7, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has said that due to lack of adequate funds and staff, there had been a delay in the completion and renovation of drainage and sewerage channels.

“Earlier, the CDA used to carry out our road repairs and it was subsequently handed over to CMC in 2007. During a meeting held recently, we have asked CDA to provide Rs 4.5 crore out of the Rs 9 crore it had received under the amnesty scheme. Some funds have been released and the fund will be utilised for the construction of roads in Mahanadi Vihar and CDA,” city mayor Saumendra Ghose told The Telegraph.

“Following the high court direction, we have taken over the maintenance of drainage and sewerage from CDA recently. But due to lack of adequate funds and shortage of experienced staff, we are unable to carry out the works so far. We had demanded Rs 40 crore for renovation and repairs of drainage and sewerage system. But CDA has released only Rs 30 lakh and has assured to provide another Rs 20 lakh in the regard,” he said.

“We have also urged the high court for additional funds to complete the existing projects taken up by CMC. However, it is expected that the problems of waterlogging and other issues in respective areas would be solved soon,” Ghose added.