(From top) Lack of proper stormwater drains and sewerage system makes wastewater flow on the roads in all parts of Prasanti Vihar colony, where many new housing projects are coming up. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, March 29: A housing colony developed by the Orissa State Housing Board in 1996 continues to reel from multiple problems.

While pipe-water supply remains a distant dream for the 10,000-odd residents of the Shikharchandi housing colony, problems such as lack of proper internal roads and drains, sewerage and solid waste disposal system are also affecting the day-to-day lives of the people.

Situated near the campus of KIIT University and Chandadaka Industrial Estate, the responsibility of the upkeep of the colony was transferred to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on November 20, 1997. But the lack of basic facilities has put local residents in a quandary.

“After 14 years of launching the project, wastewater from houses still flows on to the roads. Without a proper garbage disposal system, mosquito menace has reached its peak. On August 20, 2009, a senior BMC health officer visited our area. He was appalled that the entire area had just six dustbins, when the requirement was for 50,” said a member of Prasanti Vihar Unnayan Parishad (PVUP), a body formed by the residents to voice their opinion.

Sanjeeb Kumar Rout, PVUP general secretary and advocate, said: “When the houses were allotted, there were just 20 streetlights. The entire area needs about 200 streetlights. According to the brochure, 37 tube-wells were supposed to be dug up. While taking possession, we realised that only seven had been dug up. The community members added six more later on. However, even after 14 years supply of pipe-water has not yet started.”

There is no primary health or a community centre in the colony. “The community centre is a necessary component for development process as it works as a proper place for discussing many important issues. So, the civic body should take immediate steps in this regard,” Rout added.

Niranjan Barik, secretary, senior citizens development forum, Prasanti Vihar, said most of the people were using bore-wells as the ground water has depleted. “When the water sample was sent to a laboratory for testing, it was detected that the iron content was high,” said Barik.

Bishnu Charan Das, president of PVUP, said: “With an area of more than 37 acre, Prasanti Vihar has 18 open spaces. But the civic authorities have not planned a single park yet for the recreation of the residents. Even the kids don’t have any place to play.”

The colony didn’t have a proper approach road till 2008. After a dispute with some landowners, Orissa High Court ordered in favour of the residents and a proper approach road was built.

“The road nearby was occupied by some villagers who used to guard the orchards of the Patia king in the past. But later they claimed the land as their own. However, the court ruled in our favour and we got a proper entry to the colony. But now the civic authorities should concentrate on providing internal roads to the colony as the area is developing very fast,” added Das.

With vertical and horizontal growth, the population had gone up manifold, creating lot of pressure on sanitation and communication.

“The city bus runs till KIIT University. But the service should be extended up to our colony,” said a PVUP member.

Manoranjan Behera, the local councillor, said: “The housing board has never done justice to people who have been allotted houses even in other colonies of the city. The best example is Dumduma where many housing colonies are yet to get civic amenities. It’s time BMC did something.”