Proper road and drainage system remain a distant dream for residents of Nuasahi in Cuttack. Telegraph pictures

Cuttack, Jan. 30: The Nuasahi area in Bidanasi, which is located at the highest point along the banks of river Mahanadi, does not have any proper drainage system.

“Even after years of the formation of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), no step has been taken for the development of Nuasahi, which falls in ward no. 1,” allege local residents.

The CMC was named as a corporation in 1994 after its establishment as a municipality in 1876.

At the first look, the area appears to be a small village within a city that has grown like anything in the past couple of years. Proper drainage system and piped drinking water supply has been a distant dream for the residents of Nuasahi area located on the western fringes of the city. The residents of the area have to depend on wells and tubewells for their daily water requirements.

“We have been running without a proper drainage system and piped water supply for the several years. Many lanes of the area overflow as there is no proper channel for the passage of the waste water here,” said local resident Kartik Nayak (52).

The condition of the roads of the area is also deplorable with inadequate streetlighting.

“Basic civic amenities such as proper drainage system, better roads, and drinking water facility still elude the residents here. The residents have been forced to set up underground sewerage tanks for passage of the waste water,” said retired deputy superintendent of police M.S. Panda.

Nuasahi is located near the developed township of Cuttack Development Authority (CDA). “Thankfully, there is no waterlogging in the area as the land here is sandy and it absorbs excess water during the monsoon season,” Panda added.

Local councillor Nirupama Hati has informed that the efforts are on to develop roads and drainage system at many places of her ward.

“Lack of drainage system is a matter of concern here. But adequate steps are being taken for constructing new drains and renovating old drains in many parts of the ward. Roads are being constructed in a phased manner and road connectivity has been restored in many areas,” said the councillor.

“Efforts are also on to develop proper drainage system at Nuasahi. Funds have already been sanctioned for the project which is likely to take off soon. Similarly, the budget for setting up a motor pump house has already been passed. This is likely to solve the piped drinking water problem of local residents in the area,” Hati added.