Clogged drains and an open manhole at Khalasi Lane in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, June 16: Residents of Khalasi Lane area have been affected by several civic problems such as, bad roads, dumped garbage and inadequate streetlights.

Khalasi Lane acts as a connecting link between Buxi Bazar, Barabati stadium and Cantonment Road. But bad roads create several problems. “A big pothole leading to the KVK Road and entrance of Khalasi Lane is posing a threat to the lives of commuters as well as the residents here. Many accidents have occurred as most commuters, while trying to avoid the pothole in high-speed, collide with vehicles coming from the other end,” said Seikh Gaffar, 38, a commuter.

According to local residents, no step was being taken to repair the roads in bad shape. Because of the big potholes, parts of KVK Road and Khalasi Lane have become accident-prone.

Lack of adequate streetlights has also made matters worse in the area. The garbage disposal scenario is also pathetic.

“There was a dustbin, but it has disappeared. Civic officials are yet to replace it. As a result, many people are dumping their household wastes on the road creating problems for everybody,” said Seikh Amzad, 35, a local resident.

“One can find heaps of garbage dumped at several places on Khalasi Lane and behind the Barabati stadium. As the garbage is not being cleared every day, it rots and stinks,” said Prabhat Chandra Bag, 56, another local resident. Bag, who is chief pastor of the Baptist Church, said a lot had to be done to improve the living condition of local residents as most of the drains had become obsolete and required urgent repairs.

“Unwanted vegetation has grown in and around the clogged drains. They might result in waterlogging as the monsoon has already set in and things may become worse if nothing is done,” he added.

Despite several attempts, local councillor Rita Mohanty could not be contacted.

However, CMC officials said adequate steps were being taken for the all-round development of the area.

“The work for the construction and repair of the main culvert near Nariseva Sadan is almost complete and drainage problems in Khalasi Lane and nearby localities have been solved,” said a CMC official.

As part of the mechanised sweeping and solid waste management project, big dustbins have been installed he added.