File picture of waterlogging at Darkhapatna in Cuttack during monsoon

Cuttack, Feb. 2: The BJD is hopeful of bagging majority of the votes in Nuabazar, Bidyadharpur, Kalyaninagar, Andarpur, Nuapada and nearby areas.

The party feels that a flyover nearing completion, construction of sewer lines and drains and rehabilitation projects in two slums have put it in an advantageous position.

The BJD is going all-out to project these achievements and showcase the party’s commitment to take forward the development programme that has been initiated over the last five years.

The 728metres long flyover that stretches from Gosala road to Nuabazar junction would be crucial in diverting the city traffic and make it easier for thousands of commuters who find it hard to cross the road that is the converging point for vehicular traffic from OMP Square, Press Chhakh, Jobra and Cuttack-Paradip road.

Highlighting the success of the corporation, BJD councillor for ward No. 47 Kailash Chandra Bastia said: “Roads have been developed over a stretch of 20km. Drainage channels of nearly 17km have also been constructed.”

Bastia, however, will not contest this time as the ward is now reserved for scheduled caste women. The BJD has fielded Mamata Behera from the ward. The BJP has fielded Sunita Malik, while the Congress candidate is Puspitarani Das. Despite the BJD going high on achievements, several residents feel that the pace of development had been slow. They accused the corporation of being slow in constructing a kalyan mandap. The residents also expressed resentment over the lack of public toilets.

“Renovation of community centre has been undertaken, but the quality of work is substandard,” said Alipta Moharana, a local resident.

BJD councillor of ward No. 49 Ranjita Karan said: “Work on construction of sewerage and drainage lines has started under the mega Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project. Besides, the slum pocket in Andarpur has been identified under Cuttack Municipal Corporation’s first slum rehabilitation project. The project is part of the Centre’s Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme.”

The BJD dropped Ranjita as her ward has been renamed No. 53 and made unreserved. The party has fielded Pradipta Kumar Samantaray, who will take on Renubala Rout (Congress) and Nrusingha Charan Das (BJP).

Residents of this ward complain the lack of a community centre and community toilet near slums. “Waterlogging and inundation of several localities persist as drainage channels have not been upgraded,” said Umesh Baral, a local resident.

BJD councillor of ward No. 50 Tapas Ranjan Samantaray said: “Two anganwadi centres have been set up, while eight others renovated. Two community toilets have also been renovated”.

Tapas’s ward has been renamed No. 54 and reserved for women. Therefore, Tapas’s wife Surekha Samantaray has been pitted gainst Madhusmita Sahu (Congress) and Purnima Ray (BJP). One Odisha Jana Morcha and seven Independents are also in the fray.

The voters are miffed as the construction of a vending zone and a public toilet at Nuabazar remain incomplete.

“No emphasis has been given on timely collection and disposal of garbage. Work for renovation of ponds has not been taken up”, said Yugala Bhoi, a local resident.

BJD councillor of ward No. 51 Sarojini Sahoo said: “Emphasis had been given on better street lights and construction of two community centres.”

The ward has been dereserved and renamed No. 55. The BJD has fielded Naren Kumar Maharana, who had switched over from BJP to BJD. Apart from the Congress (Chittaranjan Panda) and the BJP (Baideswar Panda), an Odisha Jana Morcha and two independent candidates are in the fray.

Residents feel that the corporation was lax in constructing public and community toilets in slums. “Development of roads and drainage system have not made noticeable progress,” said Kishore Khuntia, a local resident.