Cuttack: A PIL filed in Orissa High Court has sought intervention for permanent measures to check waterlogging in Bhubaneswar.

The petition has alleged that though Bhubaneswar has been declared a smart city, the authorities had failed to deal with the problem of waterlogging.

Achyutananda Swain, 42, a resident of Kalyanpur filed the petition after several parts of Bhubaneswar were submerged under knee-deep to waist-deep water following heavy rain on July 21 and 22.

In his petition, Swain has argued that rain is a perennial phenomenon, but waterlogging and inundation of homes will continue unless the city has a proper drainage system to discharge rainwater.

The petitioner has sought the court's direction to the authorities for taking "remedial steps" to ensure proper discharge of rainwater to prevent waterlogging.

Swain further expected the court to direct the authorities "to find out ways and means for better drainage system". He pointed out that people in the smart city were facing "pitiable plight and deplorable condition" after incessant rain.

According to the petition, an hour's rainfall spells misery for Bhubaneswar residents who have to negotiate heavy waterlogging, which in turn leads to traffic jams. "Unless comprehensive measures are taken, the problem of draining out rainwater will continue," he contended.

The PIL, which has not been listed for hearing, assumes significance as incessant rain coupled with waterlogging had recently triggered a flood-like situation in almost all parts of Bhubaneswar, bringing normal life and traffic to a grinding halt. Several areas and major roads had remained waterlogged for hours, while flash flood conditions marooned several vehicles. Residents also had to undergo a harrowing experience as rainwater had entered thousands of homes and damaged properties.