Cuttack, June 13: Officials of the water resources department in Mahanadi south division (Cuttack) are concerned over dumping of debris on the river bed along the embankments near the north of Gadgadia ghat-Baliyatra ground.

Unchecked disposal of debris has led to creation of undulating hills of rubble along the Mahanadi embankment. As a result, the river bed along the affected stretch is getting buried slowly.

“This is of concern as it is reducing the water carrying capacity of the river in the reservoir area of the Mahanadi Barrage at Jobra and increasing the flood level of the river along the city,” executive engineer of the Mahanadi south division Asok Samal told The Telegraph.

“The unbridled dumping of rubble on the river bed is reducing embankment heights and increasing flood threat to the city. Both the district administration and the Cuttack Municipal Corporation have repeatedly been asked to check dumping of debris and unauthorised encroachments on the river bed,” Samal said.

A water resources department official said the huge quantity of solid deposits and encroachments on the river bed along the embankment was also obstructing the river’s natural course. This could lead to an inward bending of its course, he said.

The volume of dumping of debris had heightened since the Japan International Co-operation Agency-assisted sewerage and drainage project started in various parts of the city a few months ago. Hundreds of tonnes of solid waste materials generated by the work were allegedly finding their way into the river bed. The corporation was also allegedly disposing of construction debris and other solid waste materials in the river.

Cuttack collector Girish S.N., however, said the district administration was alert to the concern expressed by the water resources department. “The situation was reviewed last week and restrictions have since been imposed on further disposal of debris in the river bed along the embankments,” he said.

“The tehsildar (Cuttack Sadar) has been specifically assigned the job of implementing the ban and also empowered to take action in cases of violation,” he said. “Besides, the civic body has been asked to remove the debris from the river before the onset of monsoon,” he said.

Municipal commissioner Gyanaranjan Das said the “debris removal from the river bed along the embankment to the north of Gadgadia ghat-Baliyatra ground will start shortly”.