Sambalpur, July 23: Irate residents of Beheramunda and Dasmati Colony of the Sambalpur Municipality today locked the gate of Rail Nagar, a government colony, for more than two hours, protesting against discharge of drain water into their locality.

The protesters, however, agreed to open the colony gate after railway officials assured them that the problem would be sorted out. Divisional engineer of the Sambalpur railway division Biswajeet Bhoi said: “Initiative would be taken to resolve the problem. We will take steps to release the drain water from the roads of that area.”

The residents Beheramunda and Dasmati Colony alleged that Rail Nagar, a captive township inhabited by more than two hundred families, did not have drainage and sewer system. The township is built and maintained by the railway.

“Rail Nagar’s drain water is released into Dasmati Colony and Beheramunda, creating trouble for the residents of that locality,” said a protester.

“We have been protesting against the release of drain water into our locality since long. However, the railway authority is yet to respond to our concern. The drain water released from Rail Nagar had been creating troubles for thousands of people living in the areas adjoining the railway colony,” said Dake Oram, former councillor of ward No. 26.

Another resident Budhu Oram said: “Mosquitoes breed in stagnant drain water in our area. While the insects make it impossible for us to stay at home, foul odour makes it difficult to walk outside. The railway authority should take measures to resolve the problem.”

“The untreated drain water of Rail Nagar floods two areas on Baraipali-Beheramunda road. Moreover, it falls into the Dhobijoar nullah at three other places, polluting the water body. Hundreds of women and children of the area bathe in the nullah,” said another resident Santosh Sahu.

“We have been asking the authorities to come up with a solution for long. In fact, we had even staged road blockade over the issue. After the blockade the sub-collector had convened a meeting of all authorities. However, the railway authorities did not turn up. The problem is still lying unresolved. It gets compounded during the monsoon when drain water, along with rainwater, leads to more discharge,” said another resident Nila Haripal.