Residents of Oriya Bazaar and members of Congress minority cell protest against the delay in road and drain work in Cuttack. (Below) An overflowing drain in the area. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Sept. 26: Delay in completion of road and drain works before Dussehra has created widespread resentment among residents of Oriya Bazaar in the Millennium City.

Protesting against the civic body’s “indifferent” attitude, residents of Oriya Bazaar today staged a road blockade. The Congress minority cell supported the agitation.

Oriya Bazaar residents raised their voice against the delay in execution of road repair works and completion of a drain at the locality, which falls in ward No. 16 of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).

“There has been no change in the poor condition of roads here in the last couple of years. Not only local residents but other commuters are also facing difficulties while passing through here,” said Kasim Khan, 42, a local resident.

Another resident said the main road of Oriya Bazaar, which acted as a connecting link between Mission Road and Ganga Mandir and other vital destinations, was in a bad shape. Delay in completion of a drain had resulted in delay in repair of the road.

Overflowing drains and waterlogging are the other major problems during the rainy season.

“A monument of national importance — the Netaji Birthplace Museum — is located here. Despite this, there has been inordinate delay in the execution of the both road and drain repair works in the area, compounding the problems of the residents,” said Congress minority cell president Ramzan Khan.

Khan said it had now been over two months that work for construction of the drain had been stopped.

Vehicular traffic was disrupted at Oriya Bazaar following today’s road blockade, which lasted for nearly two hours. The blockade was lifted after senior officials of the CMC arrived at the spot and assured speedy completion of road and drain repair works in the ward.

On the other hand, the CMC officials have blamed encroachments for the delay in completion of the connecting drain with the main stormwater channel No.1.

“There are a number of encroachments, including a small temple, for which work for the drain has not been completed. Efforts will, however, be initiated to solve the issue after Dussehra,” said CMC deputy secretary Nirmal Nayak.

Councillor of ward No. 16 Abdul Malik said that out of the total 1,037-feet long drain, work for 792ft has already been completed. “Efforts will be taken to resolve all encroachment-related issues amicably after the puja,” he said.