Bhubaneswar: National highway No. 5 is set to experience a repeat of last year's waterlogging with the works department delaying to prepare its project report for construction of a drain running along the major stretch.
Peeved over the delay, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has written to the works department to take immediate action. Chief general manager, NHAI, Dharmananda Sarangi said they had intimated the department's chief engineer about it.
Sarangi said that the absence of drains near the Iskon Temple in Nayapalli was a major reason for waterlogging. The matter had been discussed with the chief secretary in July last year.
The works department was then told to prepare a project report.
"The proposal to construct the drain was sent to the NHAI headquarters last year since it could not be taken up without their approval," said an official of the NHAI.
"The headquarters sought several details, but it could not be sent as the works department was yet to submit the project report," the official said.
Last monsoon there were three major incidents of waterlogging, two of which occurred on the highway near the Iskon Temple in Nayapalli. The situation was such that people had to wade through knee-deep water.
"Lat year, the service road was almost submerged. We were assured of a solution, but so far the drain job has not begun. I fear the situation will be the same this year," said Nayapalli resident Nirakar Satapathy.
In view of the situation, the civic body had stepped in and took steps to divert a few drains located at Vani Vihar and Acharya Vihar to the nearby natural drainage channel No. 10. However, no such effort had been taken for Nayapalli.
Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said Acharya Vihar was a priority when it comes to dealing with waterlogging.
"We will take steps for Nayapalli. I will hold talks with officials concerned," said Jena.
Chief engineer (roads), works department, O.P. Patel assured about preparing the detailed project report for constructing parallel drains on both sides of the service roads to the highway between Fire Station Square and Jayadev Vihar Square. "We will make efforts to submit the report by month-end."
