Bhubaneswar, Aug. 5: Members of various citizens’ committees of Nageswar Tangi, Old Town, and nearby areas today staged a rally outside Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) demanding action against builders and real estate developers who have encroached public roads and drains.

Alleging that the corporation was “soft” towards some encroachers in Old Town area, especially at Nageswar Tangi, the agitators submitted a three-point memorandum to the secretary of the municipal corporation as the commissioner was not present.

“The BMC secretary has promised us action within 15 days. We have warned the officials that if the civic body fails to take any initiative, we will intensify our agitation,’’ said Lingaraj Palei of Nageswar Tangi Unnayan Parishad.

Ramashankar Nanda of Jayadev Nagar Housing Board Colony Development Council alleged that apart from roads, low-lying and natural waterbodies were also being encroached upon by builders at Nageswar Tangi.

“Though this area has many archaeological structures, concentration of highrise apartments is the maximum at Nageswar Tangi. It has been made possible because of the nexus between some builders and officials of the civic and development authorities,’’ he added.

Nanda alleged that the surrounding areas of natural drainage channel No. 7 were facing threat of encroachment from real estate developers.

“There are several blockages in the secondary and stormwater drains of Nageswar Tangi at the Housing Board Colony, market area and the road connecting Ravi Talkies Road with Sanitarium Square,” said Nanda.