Workers construct the road and culvert at Chakradhar Behera Lane near Tulsipur in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, March 18: Setting an example in self-help, residents of Chakradhar Behera lane near Tulsipur repaired a road and a culvert to end a problem that had been persisting for long.

Residents of Chakradhar Behera lane, which falls under ward No. 6 of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), had repeatedly approached the civic authorities to solve their problems. But the civic bosses took no steps to address their grievances. Left with no option, the residents joined hands to repair the road and the culvert.

“The level of the road leading to the locality was low compared to the height of the main road. This created acute waterlogging in the area during monsoons. The culvert also collapsed and had further worsened the situation,” said Samarendra Mohanty, secretary of Tulsipur puja committee.

“Although we had brought these issues to the notice of civic authorities, no step was taken to address our grievances. This inspired us to initiate measures to repair the road and culvert,” Mohanty added.

Local residents along with the members of Utkal Club collected funds and carried out welfare works in the locality. They have repaired the culvert and levelled 30 meters of road.

“We hope the initiative will end the problem of waterlogging in the area,” said Bharat Chandra Behera (40), president of Utkal Club.

The construction work that began some four days ago was completed yesterday. So far, Rs 60,000 has been spent to construct the road and repair the culvert.

We would continue to work for the development of the area and carry out measures to repair another culvert in the locality, Behera added.

According to the residents, wastewater from Gorakabar, Srivihar Colony and Madhusudan Nagar and nearby areas passes through the drain and the culvert in the area. As no step had been taken to clean and remove silt from the drains, it affected free flow of wastewater.

On the other hand, local councillor Lilabati Behera refuted allegations of neglecting the area. The councillor said the residents did not take up their civic problems with the authorities.

“Nobody had approached us with their grievances. We have nothing to say on the issue,” Behera said.

Behera said the CMC council had already included repair job of the culvert under the Japan International Cooperation Agency project. Similarly, several development works, including construction of roads and drains, had been carried out in the ward. Siltation work had begun in many areas to clean clogged drains, the councillor added.