CONCRETE JUNGLE:Unauthorised construction of a bridge (circled) on Gangua nullah in Bhubaneswar is partially blocking the flow of water. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 27: A builder is constructing a bridge on the Gangua nullah, a natural drainage channel on the outskirts of the city, and hindering the flow of water in the process.

While impediments in the natural flow of waste water may cause man-made floods in the low-lying eastern parts of the city, the situation is getting worse with government departments apparently not taking the situation with the seriousness it deserves.

After the September floods, the state government had decided to control development work in the low-lying areas on the city outskirts. However, with no visible action in sight, builders are continuing their illegal constructions. On the other hand, with several departments involved in the decision-making process, things are getting delayed.

Sources said, local MLA Ashok Panda had informed the authorities two months ago when the construction work allegedly began without official permission. But the authorities woke up today when commissioner-cum-secretary, water resources department, Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, took up the matter.

The builder concerned is constructing the bridge to reclaim a 4.5-acre patch of land on the other side of Gangua nullah. The plot is near NH-203, close to Samantarapur. The builder has laid an approach road blocking the flow of water in the nullah, which carries the water 10 of natural drains in the city.

The water resources secretary today asked the chief engineer (drainage) to look into the matter and also asked the district collector, Khurda, to initiate immediate action by the local revenue official because the revenue department is technically the holder of the land.

“We only look after the drainage and the revenue official has to file a police case or impose a prohibitory order under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code so that construction is stopped. It is a potential food threat for the parts of Old Town area. It can even harm the NH-203,’’ said Mohapatra.

“The chief engineer said the bridge construction was allowed earlier in the 90s but the current construction is a violation of the prescribed norms. However, we will examine all the claims and can take action after that.’’

A senior engineer of the water resources department, who did not want to be quoted, said: ‘The structure, as it seems, is a violation of the basic drainage architecture and even if it was granted permission long ago, the authorities had every right to cancel it according to the city’s growing needs and drainage problems.’’

Encroachment along the 10 drainage channels across the city is causing flood-like situations in many areas even in case of mild rainfall.

On Gangua, while an encroachment was found near ward No. 54 with a real-estate developer reclaiming land by dumping soil in the nullah, in Chakeisiani, Gangua was encroached upon for housing activity. Silting has also caused floods.