 |
 |
Cuttack, Sept. 1: The spurt in the number of dengue cases should have prompted civic authorities to take measures related to sanitation. But from the filth that engulfs many areas of Jagatpur it appears that the authorities are yet to wake up to the threat.
Residents of Tarol are the worst victims of civic apathy, which has failed to address various issues in the locality.
“We are living in the most unhygienic conditions as there is absolutely no initiative to maintain sanitation in the locality. You will find heaps of garbage dumped at different places; it takes days to get cleared,” said Shyam Sundar Biswal, 31, a local resident.
Biswal said that the existing drainage system had become obsolete and there was problem in the passage of wastewater generated from the locality.
The situation worsened during rains as there was waterlogging on the main road leading to the locality.
Tarol, which falls in ward No. 45 of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), lacks the most basic civic amenities, including better roads and drinking water provisions.
“Residents here are deprived of drinking water facilities through pipelines. Most of them still rely on three tube wells in the locality. Many have also dug up borewells to meet their water requirements,” said Trilokya Bis wal ,42 , another local resident.
“Apart from the main road connecting the national highway, lanes and by-lanes are full of craters. Not only residents, commuters also face a lot of difficulties here,” said Narendra Samal, 45 , a commuter.
Local residents alleged that despite several complaints, no step had been taken to maintain cleanliness in the locality that had become a breeding place for mosquitoes. Unchecked vegetation and accumulated rainwater in vacant plots were ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Despite several attempts local councillor Reenarani Sethi could not be contacted.
Civic officials admitted that there were certain issues that needed urgent attention.
