Cuttack, May 2: The municipal corporation today directed Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) officials to complete the pending construction of drainage channels and desiltation by June 15.

At an emergency review meeting this evening, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) officials fixed the deadline for completion of the annual desiltation exercise starting from May 5.

"Today, we have formed two special squads for monitoring of the desiltation operation in all the major drainage channels," said Gyana Das, municipal commissioner.

The Jica officials have also been directed not to directly release slush into the surface drains as already most of the branch drains are clogged, said Das.

The joint squad will start conducting field visits from Wednesday to identify vulnerable points that need urgent repair.

Earlier, chairpersons of various standing committees expressed concern over the blockages in the main storm water channel no.1 due to construction at three major points - Buxi Bazar, Sutahat and Bajrakabati Road. The civic body today has asked the agency to complete construction and desiltation at these three places by June 15.

"At present, Jica officials have blocked several points of the water channel to carry out construction for the proposed covered drain measuring 3.5 km from Patapole to Matru Bhavan. This is likely to create problem in the discharge of excess water during the rainy season," said Ranjan Biswal, chairman of civic body standing committee on public health.

The proposed 3.5km road will resolve the problem of traffic congestion and will also be crucial in putting a check on dumping of garbage directly into the main drainage channel.

Senior officials said they were aware of the blockages in the drainage channels and efforts would be taken to ensure that all such obstructions are cleared before the rainy season.

Corporation officials said the annual desiltation operation was necessary to make the city ready for monsoon to prevent waterlogging.

"The entire drainage channel is now clogged owing to construction. The city had witnessed severe waterlogging due to incessant rain due to similar kind of blockages near Matru Bhavan and other places last year," said Kishore Samal, a resident of Sutahat.

Corporation officials, on the other hand, claimed that an emergency contingency plan would also be made to check the issue of waterlogging at several low-lying areas in the city.

Besides, six high-power motor pumps had been installed to ensure easy discharge of the waste water at three points where the constructions are under way.