Bhubaneswar, Sept. 8: Waterlogging on major roads has been a recurring problem for commuters as well as traders in several areas of the city. Lodging complaints have been of little help with the authorities yet to take any action.

Magnetic Square, one of the busiest points connecting Bhubaneswar and Nandankanan, perpetually suffers from overflowing drains. Also known as KIIT Square and Patia Big Bazar Square, residents said they had been facing the problem for over six months. They had complained to the local leaders and the authorities concerned, but things did not improve.

“Some stopgap arrangement was done, but it didn’t solve the problem. Though it’s a tourist route and many personalities visit KIIT every month, the authorities are not bothered about finding a permanent solution,” said Satyajit Rout, a resident of neighbouring Maruti Villa Residency.

Several trade establishments have also suffered because of waterlogging. Residents said a drain, which supplied water to farmlands in nearby villages, was later blocked and this caused it to overflow onto the roads. This eventually causes accidents and becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 

Local councillor Jayanti Jena said she, along with other representatives of nearby wards, had urged the officials of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation several times in the past to take action. “The BMC officials told us that the work would be undertaken by the road and buildings department. They also said that the tender process has been done. After the rainy season, it will be repaired,” said Jena.

“The process is on and we are going to start work shortly,” said an official of roads and building department.

Similarly, the road near VSS Nagar market also goes underwater during monsoon. Movement of heavy vehicles on the stretch only aggravates the problem. With motorists and bikers trying to avoid the pool of water accidents have become common in the area.

In VSS Nagar, the area in front of Prabhujee English Medium School, always goes underwater even after a brief spell of rain. This is because the road has not been repaired after laying of a sewerage channel.

The underpass near Satsang Vihar is another stretch that needs immediate attention. This newly constructed underpass has been under waist-high water for the past few months. The underpass was constructed to help motorists and bikers coming from Mancheswar, VSS Nagar, Chakeisiani, Idco Colony and many other residential areas enter the city. But the problem of waterlogging has forced people to take the Vanivihar Square route.

The National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) officials said they were taking steps to remove water from the underpass so that people can access it. 
 

WET STRETCH AND BUSTLING LOCALITIES

The waterlogged stretches have several government and private establishments, academic institutions, healthcare facilities and markets in the vicinity. With these areas remaining underwater during monsoon, negotiating roads here are a major challenge for commuters, students and office-goers. The Telegraph takes a look at these submerged zones

MAGNETIC SQUARE
♦ Educational institutions: KIIT, KISS, Future School, NIFT, Silicon Institute of Technology. Besides, 15 others schools, colleges located in the vicinity
♦Major establishments: Govt warehouse, Chandaka Industrial Estate, electric grid office, office of assistant commissioner of police, division-VI
♦ Health care facilities: KIMS, Care Hospital, LV Prasad Eye Institute
♦ Major markets: Big Bazar and several outlets of big brands
♦ Note: The road also connects Nandankanan and picnic spots such as Shikharchandi 

 

MANCHESWAR, VSS NAGAR AND SATSANG VIHAR UNDERPASS
♦ Educational institutions: Rajdhani College of Engineering, around 10 vocational training institutes, govt schools, Prabhujee English Medium School, Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Utkal University, University Law College, Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education
♦ Major establishments: Mancheswar railway station, Mancheswar industrial area, central excise office, income tax office
♦ Health care facilities: Local health centre
♦ Major markets: Ones at VSS Nagar, Mancheswar, Satsang Vihar and fruits shops near Shyama Prasad Mukherjee park

NH SIDE NEAR SAHEED NAGAR
♦ Educational institutions: Utkal University, several private educational institutes in Saheed Nagar
♦ Major establishments: Several govt offices in Saheed Nagar’s commercial area
♦ Health care facilities: Sparsh Hospital, Jagannath hospitallMajor markets: Saheed Nagar commercial area, BMC 
Bhawani Mall, Pantaloons, Kalyan Jewellers and several banks

        Pictures by Ashwinee Pati