Workers clear garbage from a drain in Berhampur. Telegraph picture

Berhampur, Dec. 14: The urban development department has prepared a master plan for improving the drainage system in the city at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore.

“The master plan will be implemented shortly under the Odisha Disaster Recovery Project, which will include improvement of roads and construction of community toilets,” said housing and urban development minister Pushpendra Singhdeo.

“We have more than 450km of drains in the city and are trying to clean them regularly,” said city health officer Subhakanta Das.

“The conditions of the drains have worsened since cyclone Phailin hit last year. There is a lot to be done in a systematic way to improve the drainage system,” said Mohammad Aslam, a resident of Khwaja Street.

“We will discuss about the all-round development of the city with representatives of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation and Berhampur Development Authority,” said the minister.

Apart from the drainage system, two new projects at Kaliaabali and Janibilli will be carried out shortly to supply drinking water to the city. To develop Ramalingam tank and provide boating and other facilities, Rs 7 crore has been earmarked.

“The trustees of Ramalingam tank board have also agreed to this proposal by Berhampur Municipal Corporation,” he said.