A slum area in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Cuttack, Aug. 6: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) authorities have been asked to file affidavits in Orissa High Court giving details of the status of slum development in the two cities.

The court issued the order after taking note of the Advocates’ Committee Report on slums in the twin cities. The report was submitted yesterday after a field visit of seven slums each in BMC and CMC areas.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Siba Narayan Panda, a member of the High Court Bar, seeking judicial intervention in solid waste management in the two cities.

“Taking note of the report, the two-judge bench of Laxmikanta Mohapatra and Indrajeet Mohanty directed the competent authorities of the BMC and the CMC to file affidavits indicating their respective plans and utilisation of funds for development of slums,” the counsel for the petitioner Dillip Kumar Mohapatra told The Telegraph today.

While directing submission of affidavits by August 26, the date fixed for the next hearing on the case, the court asked for details on sources and availability of funds for slum development.

“The court also directed for the development of Sali Sahi basti and Mali colony slum areas by BMC and Purighat Bauri Sahi and Kulibasa slum pockets by CMC,” Mohapatra said.

The Advocates’ Committee had reported that Salia Sahi basti spread over ward No. 15 and No. 16 in BMC area is said to be the biggest slum in Orissa with a population of more than 1 lakh.

“These are cluster of slums on government land. The majority of the population do not have access to the basic amenities. More than 60 per cent of the population doesn’t have access to latrines and there is not a single community latrine.

“Open defecation is the norm. The dwellers mainly depend upon hand pumps for water, and the pumps are grossly inadequate to cater to the need of such a huge population. Many of the hand pumps are defunct. There are no drainage facilities available. Sewage water is stagnating in many places, creating pools and smelling foul.

“A natural rainwater drain that is flowing near the slum has been turned into a large sewerage creating very unhygienic condition. Road condition inside is not good,” the report said.

On Kulibasa in ward No. 35 of CMC area, the report said: “The slum is situated on the main connecting open drain of Jobra and Station Bazar area.

“The living condition of the people is pathetic. The slum dwellers do not have access to basic amenities. The presence of a municipal administration is not felt. There is no provision for water. The sanitary condition is awful. There are no community latrines. The main drain near which people are living is not covered and not cleaned at regular intervals. The area stinks and the environment is most unhygienic.”

According to the report, there are 377 recognised slums within the BMC area out of which 99 slums have their own land and 278 are on government land. There are 258 recognised slums that fall in the CMC area out of which 176 slums have their own land with right titles and 82 are on government land.