File picture of a waterlogged road in Sambalpur during rains

Sambalpur, Dec. 25: Three high-power pumping stations will be built to avoid the waterlogging in the low lying areas of the city during rains.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 2.95 crore to build the pumping stations in Sambalpur.

“The proposed pumping stations will be built at Binakhandi, Balibandha and Chandan Nagar to ease the waterlogging problem in the low-lying areas of the city,” said engineer of the Sambalpur Municipality B. Padhee.

“The Odisha Construction Corporation has been moved to build the high-power stations,” said Padhee.

“Earlier, the public health and engineering department and the irrigation department had been asked to undertake the construction of the pumping stations. However, they expressed their inability in carrying out the job. Later, the corporation was asked to build the stations. A team of the Odisha Construction Corporation will shortly visit Sambalpur to assess the feasibility of the project and prepare the estimate,” said the municipal engineer.

Padhee said the high-power stations would pump out the stagnant water during rains.

The rain and drain water of the city is released to the Mahanadi river at three points — Binakhandi, Baibandha and Chandan Nagar.

However, the waterlogging problem arises when the water level increases in the Mahanadi. The rainwater fails to be discharged to the river through the sluice gates at those three points and spill over the low-lying areas leading to a flood-like situation. On several occasions, the municipality has to use high-power motor pumps to drain out the water.

Residents of Charbhati, Mandlia, Chandan Nagar, Binakhandi, Balibandha, Govindtola, Charbhati, State bank para, Bahalpra of Sakhipara, Maya Bagicha, Hirkud colony, Housing board colony, Modipara, Kumbharpara and many more areas of the city experience waterlogging during the rainy season every year.

“The imitative is good. People here in Sambalpur experience waterlogging during rains. Now, they can expect a respite from the waterlogging problem once the high power pumping stations becomes operational in the city,” said local resident Santanu Barik.