Dug up road during the pipeline work at Mehendipir. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Nov. 29: The roads were dug and the drinking water pipes, replaced. But, no one cleared the rubbish that got accumulated in the process. This is the grouse of the residents of Mehendipir, situated at ward No. 10 of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation.

The pipeline-laying work has recently been over by the public health engineering organisation here.

“After repeated complaints about irregular water supply, officials took steps to replace the pipelines in the area. However, we are still facing problems because the debris has not been removed,” said Abdul Halim Khan, 75, president of the Mehendipir Masjid Mahulla.

Khan said the construction had begun a couple of months ago and a portion of the road was dug for the laying the pipelines. The work had caused serious traffic congestion. But, the problem persists because the rubble is still there.

“The stretch has become risky mostly for children and senior citizens. Recently, two persons were hurt after falling on road because of debris. Many drains have also been damaged because of the construction,” said Md Zafarulla Khan, 60, retired government employee.

Water supplies officials said 160mm pipes are being used to cover a stretch of 250 metres.

“Bulk of the work of the ongoing project of replacement of old pipelines is over. Most of the debris have been removed and soon the remaining debris would be cleared from the area,” said water supplies (sector-1) junior engineer S. Behera.

Behera said the project cost is estimated at Rs 2.5 lakh and the residents’ complaints of irregular water supply would be resolved soon.