Cuttack, Feb. 21: Resentment is growing among residents of Kesharpur-Gahmandia because of delay in the repair work of the retaining wall along the dilapidated main stormwater channel No.1.

Though a major road passes by it, no measures have been taken for repairing the channel’s protection wall at Gahmandia. As a result, the place has become accident prone. Local residents alleged they had brought the matter to the notice of the civic officials several times, but no step had been taken to repair the wall. The retaining wall of the stormwater channel had collapsed almost three years ago.

“A goods vehicle had fallen into the channel last week. Such mishaps have occurred here several times in the recent past,” said Seikh Imran, a local resident.

“Commuters passing through the Kesharpur-Gahmandia Road are always at risk of falling into the channel as the dilapidated protection wall is non-existent at places,” he said. On June 23, 2011, The Telegraph had pointed out that lack of maintenance of the retaining wall was a cause of worry for the local residents. In the absence of the retaining wall in the last monsoon, wastewater had almost come up to the level of the road, sparking fears of inundation at Kesharpur-Gahmandia.

Following this, officials of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) had identified in last December six vulnerable points and initiated measures for repair of the retaining wall at Proffessorpada and Balabhadrapur near Chhatrabazar.

However, steps are yet to be initiated for the repair work at Kesharpur-Gahmandia.

The councillor of ward No. 29, Md Ayub, has also admitted the delay in execution of the repair work of the retaining wall in the locality.

“Though higher officials have been informed about the matter, steps are yet to be initiated for repairing the wall. The work could not be started as the code of conduct came into force for the panchayat polls and the Athgarh by-election,” he said.

The councillor also said that though the estimate for the project had been completed, it was yet to be approved.

Kesharpur-Gahmandia residents only hope that the work will be completed before the arrival of monsoon.