Bhubaneswar, Nov. 8: Days after Gangua nullah faced threat from a real estate developer, another such case is emerging along drainage channel No. 9, which is one of the tributaries of the nullah that carries stormwater from Ainginia to Gangua.
More that 40 residents of Niladri Nagar today alleged that the authorities of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) had given permission to a builder to build 52 apartments on a 725 decimal plot that has a narrow approach road. The builder had already built a boundary wall along the natural drainage channel, but it was partly washed away during the rains.
“The encroachment has already received natural justice, as rain has partly demolished the wall at the project site. But the most surprising fact is that the development authority has given permission for apartments to come up on a site that has such a narrow approach road. We cannot understand how an entire colony with 52 or more apartments can come up here. We are already facing communication problems because of the narrow road. The new complex will add to our woes,’’ said Nrusingha Narayan Chaudhury, secretary of Niladri Nagar Welfare Association (NNWA).
He said he had made a Right to Information (RTI) application to the BDA to know about the builder, the plan, the approval and plot. “But the BDA officials have asked for the file number and other details about the project. If we had the details with us what was the need to apply to the BDA through RTI?’’ asked Chaudhury.
Residents of Niladri Nagar today went to meet BDA authorities. When BDA officials refused to meet them, the residents demonstrated in front of the BDA vice-chairman’s office.
“The builder has started construction. If the builder encroaches on the channel, there could be floods in Jagamara. The width of the channel should be around 80 feet, but the builder has encroached on more than half of the channel,’’ said a member of NNWA, S.K. Kamaluddin.
The BDA is only supposed to approve multi-storey buildings in those areas where there is proper road connectivity. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has to provide the no-objection certificate after checking the approach road and drainage. NNWA members are also planning to approach BMC authorities to find out about the BMC’s approval to the builder.
The president of NNWA alleged: “We provided BDA the plot number, land area and name of the builder. Now they want the letter number, file number and date of approval, which can only be available with them. This is a violation of the RTI Act.”
The residents alleged that the officials had paid no attention to their complaints. “They did not even meet us. We will continue our agitation until the illegal construction is stopped,” said an NNWA member.
BDA officials said that they could not meet the residents because of prior engagements. Planning member Prashant Pattnaik said: “The authorities will look into the matter and see whether there was any violation. We will first see what has happened and then we can take steps.”
