Bhubaneswar: An endless list of civic woes is plaguing residents of Kharavela Nagar.
Their list of ordeals range right from traffic congestion, roadside encroachment, irregular parking and poor road condition to lack of sanitation measures.
Local residents allege that despite Kharavela Nagar being one of the prime areas of the city, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has turned a blind eye to their grievances. Repeated pleas to redress the civic problems have fallen on deaf ears, they alleged.
Problems are particularly acute for those living on the stretch of the main road between Sriya Square and HHI Square. The footpath on this stretch has almost been eaten up by encroachers, while the width of the main road has reduced to almost half its original size because of haphazard roadside parking. To add to all this, the area also reels from poor sanitation and there are not enough dustbins in proper shape.
"This is an important area of the city having a multiplex, a three-star hotel and several commercial establishments. But, it is difficult to even walk on this stretch during peak hours as vendors have encroached upon the footpath while the road has been narrowed by irregular parking. The administration should immediately address our problems," said Raju Nath, a shop owner on the stretch.
The residents also complained of safety issues as they claimed that their locality had turned into a den for criminals, especially after dark. "People from nearby slums commit nuisance at night. Police know everything, but turn a blind eye," said local resident Anita Mohanty.
Kharavela Nagar has been brought under Bhuban-eswar's area-based development programme under the smart city mission. Once the project materialises, the area would house a hotel corridor, a smart housing project and several other facilities.
"The administration has been planning to turn this area into a smart district of the city. But, the present situation tells a different tale. The area is filled with problems and the administration is doing nothing. The claim of becoming a smart city sounds like a daydream," said another resident.
Mayor Ananta Naryan Jena said he would discuss the local residents' grievances with the officials concerned and take measures to resolve those. "I will personally look into the problems faced by the Kharavela Nagar residents and direct the officials and the local councillor to take steps. I will also ask the police to tighten security in the area," said the mayor.
Fire service
The office-bearers' election of the Odisha Fire Services Officers' Association completed on Monday. Abani Kumar Swain was elected the president, Rajkishore Jena the general secretary, Birabhadra Tudu the vice-president, Natabar Naik the joint secretary and Sisirkanta Singh the treasurer.
