Bhubaneswar, Ap 27: Ahead of Monsoon, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has yet to complete its annual drain-cleaning operations, with only a few areas partially cleared. Residents fear the city may face significant waterlogging in some areas.
Typically, BMC initiates the drain-cleaning process in January, with work commencing after final tenders are awarded in February. This year, however, progress has been slow, and as of the end of March, cleaning had barely started. So far, only about 5% of the main drains have been cleared, raising questions about when the remaining work will be finished.
Bhubaneswar has 11 major drains spanning approximately 77 kilometers, essential for channeling water out of the city. If these drains remain blocked, artificial flooding could occur during the monsoon. In addition, the city has 357 kilometers of other drains, most of which are still unattended, further increasing the risk of waterlogging on key roads.
Certain areas, including Soubhagyanagar, Master Canteen, and Bomikhal, are already experiencing water stagnation. Drains near NH corridors, the ISKCON temple, Ward 4 Pahala, and Hansapal are also blocked, causing concern among residents. While the city has identified around 60 critical drainage points and allocated funds through the Urban Development Department, cleaning work has yet to begin.
With monsoon season approaching, both residents and experts are urging the BMC to take immediate action to prevent widespread flooding and disruption across the capital.
