A sewage line under construction at Sahid Nagar in Bhubaneswar caved in causing inconvenience to local residents. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 5: Incessant rain has exposed the blunders in laying sewage lines in different parts of the city. A major part a sewage line, still under construction in Sahid Nagar, caved in two days ago. Last night, a car fell into it.

The excavated portion of the sewage pipeline should have been filled up with sand but the contractors used the softer “murrom” soil. Following heavy rain, the soil softened and the area caved in. At some places this has given way to big holes of about three feet square feet. These huge holes pose a danger to children and the elderly.

“The road began caving in two days ago. After we complained today, the authorities concerned instructed their employees, but surprisingly they came with tractor loads of ‘murrom’ soil and filled the space when they should filled it with sand. This stop-gap arrangement might again cause accidents in the future,” said Ashok Kumar Sahu, a senior faculty member of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar.

“The road links Vani Vihar railway station with ESI dispensary, but after many months the work is yet to be completed and now it has perhaps stopped because of the rain. But the entire locality is suffering as the road also leads to a private community centre. Now, people have to come to the community centre or the railway station by taking long alternate routes,” he added.

“A car driven by a resident sank into a hole last night. After help from local residents, however, the vehicle was rescued. Residents went to the office of the Orissa Water Supply and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) and then some people were sent to repair the road,” he added.

Industrialist Sarat Kumar Satpathy, who is also a local resident, said the area had one sewerage line that was constructed during the formation of Bhubaneswar as the new capital. Then 12 years ago another sewerage line was built and now, the third sewerage line is under construction. “I cannot understand what is the use of three sewage lines in a locality and if the third one is really needed it should be completed within a stipulated time frame,” he said.

Retired teacher Gouranga Tripathy said that after laying the new sewage line in the middle of the road, the surface of the road has become undulated and four-wheeler drivers are having a tough time managing their vehicles. “We hope that the OWSSB authorities will finish the work on the stretch once the rainy season is over,” he said.

“The municipal corporation authorities should also pitch in by asking the OWSSB to finish the sewage line work so that roads can be laid. The sewerage authorities are taking too much time with their projects and it is always the residents of the area who are at the receiving end,” Tripathy added.

Last month, residents of Old Town had launched an agitation protesting the delay in sewage pipeline laying work. The agitation was organised by Ekamra Bikash Manch. They had alleged that the tourist footfall in Old Town also suffered largely because of the delay in laying the pipeline. However, the OWSSB officials had said that too much of interference by local residents and observance of many rituals were the reasons behind the delay in laying the pipeline.

Regarding the caving in of the road in Sahid Nagar, senior project engineer B.K. Parida said that it had become mandatory for the contractors to fill the excavated site with sand so that the space would not cave in.

“However, if there has been there is any deviation, refilling of the area will be done,” he added.