Sambalpur, July 24: Residents of Housing Board Colony today blocked Firm Road for more than two hours demanding basic civic amenities for their area.

Vehicular movement on the road, which leads to the Khetrajpur railway station, was completely disrupted for two hours.

The colony residents alleged that the water of the Dhobijor Nullah (drain), which flows along the colony boundary, has entered into homes in the colony.

“The drain is choked, because of which the drain water has entered the colony. But, the civic body is yet to take steps to clear the blockage and provide respite to the residents here. Every year, residents of the Housing Board Colony experience a flood-like situation during heavy rain,” said colony resident Sraban Pati.

The residents also said that the colony did not have a drainage system. “Even though our colony lies within the municipal limits, we do not have a basic amenity like a drainage system. There are no streetlights either,” said Pati.

Around 600 families stay in the colony.

“Hoodlums take advantage of the absence of proper lighting in the evening,” said another colony resident and agitator Minati Panigrahi. The residents also alleged that they were not getting regular water supply.

“We play the water bill, but are not provided with regular water supply,” said colony resident Ranjit.

The agitators, however, withdrew the roadblock after the sub-collector assured them that the problems of the colony would be resolved.