Cuttack, June 30: Councillors expressed concern over the delay in completion of the silt removal operation that would create problems in discharge of excess rainwater through the drainage channels eventually causing waterlogging.

A council meeting of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation was held here today where the issue was discussed.

Usually the civic body completes the exercise by the end of May or first week of June. But this year, most of the drains in several localities have not yet been de-silted.

"Monsoon has already arrived, and so far, little over 60 per cent of the drains, including the main storm water channels, has been de-silted. This delay will lead to severe waterlogging in the city," said Hrusikesh Pradhan, an Independent councillor of ward No. 52. He also said the senior officials of the civic body had failed to initiate timely measures before the monsoon.

The lack of preparedness of the corporation had earlier been exposed when several localities witnessed acute waterlogging after the city had received heavy rainfall on June 15 and 16.

A civic body official, on the other hand, said that already high-power motor pumps had been installed at 12 locations, including Matrubhavan sluice gate, Khannagar and Sishu Bhavan.

The process to remove blockages in the drainage channels is already over, he said.

"Already 80 per cent de-silting is done, and we hope to complete the remaining job within the next three to four days," said deputy mayor Ajay Barik.

Apart from waterlogging, the councillors, cutting across all party lines, also expressed concern over the irregularities in the management of the existing kalyan mandap at Choudhry Bazaar.

The councillors alleged that few corporation officials had embezzled crores of rupees by not depositing the money collected from various people towards booking of the public utilities.

The Congress councillors submitted a memorandum to the civic commissioner, seeking a detailed inquiry and stern action against those involved in the corruption.

"Almost Rs 2 crore has been embezzled by the officials of the kalyan mandap in the past five years. Fake receipts were issued for booking of the building and no money was deposited in the corporation account," alleged Giribala Behera, Congress councillor of ward No. 4.

Bikash Behera, councillor of ward No. 9 and the chairperson of the corporation's licence standing committee, said: "An inquiry has already been initiated by the finance officer and additional commissioner. Appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty of misappropriation of funds."