AN OVERFLOWING DRAIN SUTAHAT CHRISTIAN SAHI IN CUTTACK. PICTURES BY BADRIKA NATH

Cuttack, Oct. 12: Residents of Sutahat Christian Sahi, which falls under ward No. 16 of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, have been deprived of basic civic amenities, including proper roads and drainage systems.

The residents here are facing problems owing to lack of initiatives on part of the civic body. “There are absolutely no facilities here as no measure is taken to improve the conditions of the locality,” said Ramesh Samal, 45, a local resident. Samal said the residents were reeling from civic neglect for the last couple of years.

The bylanes in the area are left in a bad condition, because of which the residents, especially children and senior citizens, keep on suffering.

The drainage systems had become defunct leading to sewerage problem in the locality that houses over 200 families, he said.

“Most of the drains are left in bad shape and collapsing at many points. These are overflowing because of lack of measures for immediate repairs and regular desilting,” said Purna Moharana, 41, another local resident.

Apart from roads and drainage, overall sanitation is another area of concern for the residents. Garbage generated from the area is not being cleaned on a daily basis. The residents have to dump their household waste on the road as no dustbin has been installed.

The condition of Sutahat Road connecting with Odia Bazar and Mission Road is in bad shape. Members and leaders of the Congress Minority Cell had recently staged a roadblock owning to delay in the construction of road and drain at Sutahat.

Local councillor Abdul Malik admitted that the development works at Sutahat and Christian Sahi, in particular, have taken a back seat. However, he has assured that efforts will be initiated to address the residents’ grievances.

“The single tender process for the construction of road and drain at Christian Sahi for Rs 3.5 lakh has been completed and sent for further approval. The work is expected to begin shortly,” said Malik.

Malik said construction of road and drain at Sutahat main road would also begin shortly as the high court had already given order for the eviction of illegal encroachment, including a temple, on the stretch.