Sewarage work has left the stretch connecting Mumtaz Ali High School and Unit VIII in a bad shape. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, March 3: The arteries of the city’s heart are clogged. After the expansion of the city in all directions, geographically ward No. 25 is now the heart of the city, but most of its roads are in a sorry state as are its drains.

The area is yet to have a community hall, primary school or health centre. The condition of drains need immediate attention at many locations.

Residents blame the problem of bad roads on the ongoing work to lay sewer lines. The uneven roads in the ward pose a danger not only to two-wheelers, but also four-wheelers.

Roads in stretches such as Mumtaz Ali High School Square to the middle of the road connecting Unit VIII, National Highway-5 to Behera Sahi Square and BDA City Centre Square to Behera Sahi, have become rough and bumpy.

Even after the sewer trenches were filled up with sand and earth, the roads in many sections are caving in, residents allege because the filling is of inferior quality.

“Even a two-wheeler rider can feel the earth sinking, as the filling has not been done properly,” said Arabinda Patnaik, a businessman who commutes daily through ward No. 25.

“The first shower of the year two weeks ago created even more problems as the roads became virtual traps for commuters. The drains and water channels passing through the ward need to be renovated urgently to carry water to downstream areas,” he added.

Councillor of the ward, Nabakishore Behera, said that after the sewer lines are laid, some internal roads would be repaired, but many major roads are yet to be included in the drive. However, he added, they would be taken up soon.

Regarding storm water drains, Behera said were already being cleaned and before the pre-monsoon shower they would be ready to take the load. “Some drains near Behera Sahi Square need to be repaired. The work will be undertaken soon through the ward development funds,” he added.

Asked about the problems ailing natural drainage channel No. 10 that originates in the ward, the councillor said the clearance of water through the natural water body is restricted in many parts because of encroachment.

“The civic authorities, Bhubaneswar Development Authority and the general administration department should take stringent action in this regard,” he said.

Shopkeeper Brajendra Prustry said the long-standing demand of the locality was met when the Balunkeswar Mahadev pond in the ward was renovated by the councillor recently. He added that there should be another ghat with a changing room for women devotees. The pond is surrounded by three prominent temples.

“The remaining renovation work of the temple pond will be taken care of,” said the councillor adding, “The civic authorities should construct a community centre in the ward. The area has no primary health centre or school.”

Chinmay Sahu, a software developer who stays in ward No. 25, said, “The stretch between Behera Sahi Square and Mumtaz Ali High School is the worst affected. Behera Sahi Square itself is always affected by rainwater and when it rains heavily, people have to wade through knee-deep water. The drainage system should be cleaned and repaired simultaneously before the rains start.”