(Clockwise from top left) A choked drain, broken culvert, dumped garbage, mobile phone tower, and broken road at Sidheswar Sahi in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, March 14: The sanitation scenario at Sidheswar Sahi is in a shambles. Local residents allege that the civic authorities have not taken any steps to maintain hygiene and cleanliness in the area.

Sidheswar Sahi near Kanika Square is one of the oldest localities of the city. This area carries a significant religious importance as the famous Sidheswar temple, a church and a mosque are located here.

“No step has been taken to maintain sanitation in our locality. The sweepers do not come regularly to collect garbage from here. As a result, heaps of garbage remain dumped alongside the roads of the area for days together,” said Pradipta Kumar Das (48).

“Though we brought these issues to the notice of the civic authorities, no step has been taken by them so far,” he added.

Poor roads and drainage system is another area of concern for the residents here.

“Roads and drains are of Sidheswar Sahi are in bad shape because of lack of measures for their repair and maintenance. Most of the drains are clogged as all the waste items are dumped on the roadsides, which eventually fall into the drains,” said Rajendra Patnaik (47), another local resident.

The culverts are collapsing at many points. It is creating problems in the smooth flow of traffic as most of the concrete slabs are not located properly to cover the drains.

“Many accidents have occurred because of the bad condition of the roads and culverts. Children and senior citizens hurt themselves seriously as streetlighting in the area is also inadequate,” said Saroj Mohanty (46), another local resident.

The residents also complain that they are having a harrowing time because of the noise pollution caused by power generators of two telecommunication towers in the locality.

“We have filed a PIL in the high court as the local residents are facing problems for the twin mobile phone towers in the area,” Mohanty added.

Local councillor Sumitra Sahoo, however, has informed that adequate steps are being taken to maintain sanitation in the entire ward.

“At present, around 38 sanitary staff are engaged in manual collection and removal of garbage in the entire ward. Similarly, adequate dustbins have been provided in all the localities of the ward, including Sidheswar Sahi,” said Sahoo.

The work for the construction and repair of roads has been recently completed in Sidheswar Sahi at a cost of Rs 1.5 lakh. Steps are being taken for the repair of roads in other areas of the locality, Sahoo said.