Encroached space beside the natural drainage channel No. 10, where residents demand a road. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, May 16: Residents of Bomikhal New Colony have demanded development of a 20-feet road in the space along the natural drainage channel No. 10, which flows near the Maa Santoshi Temple near National Highway 203, popularly known as Cuttack Road.

Members of the Residents’ Welfare Association of Bomikhal New Colony said that in 2004, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities took up an initiative to develop the road. But the civic authorities, however, did not proceed further. Later, some local residents occupied the space and planted trees there. They have also closed the space by barricading it from both ends.

“The natural drainage channel No. 10 has been heavily silted on this stretch before it crosses NH-203. Every monsoon, the choked channel creates a lot of problems in the area. Construction of a road in this open space can play a vital role in both cleaning the bed of the channel and reducing the distance between the main road and the colony,” said secretary of the association S.K. Patra.

A.K. Kanungo, president of the Residents’ Welfare Association, said: “The BMC authorities had shown interest in constructing the road when Satyabrata Sahu was the municipal commissioner. But the corporation did not proceed with that for reasons best known to them. Local residents have put their own contributions to repair the culvert. But the channel’s structure may collapse anytime as it has remained heavily silted for long. So, there should be an alternative approach road to the colony so that the civic authorities can take immediate steps to provide the people with connectivity in case of any emergency.’’

Residents of Bomikhal New Colony also allege that sewage water flows on the colony’s only existing road. “The road, which connects the colony with NH-203 and runs near the Debraj Bidyapeeth, is in an unhygienic condition as sewage water flows on it. The BMC should take immediate steps to clean the road as sewerage water pollutes the entire area,” said a local resident.

BMC authorities, however, have promised to look into the demands of the residents of Bomikhal New Colony and also provide proper space near the drainage channel to carryout de-silting works. “The steps taken by previous authorities in this regard will be studied first. Only then we will be able to decide on our future action plan,’’ said a senior BMC official.