Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation takes control of 316km of internal drains for improved drainage management

Bhubaneswar: To effectively manage internal drains running along streets in city wards, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday took administrative control of 316 km of drains that are being maintained by the works department.The decision was taken in the corporation meeting on Friday fulfilling a long-standing demand of corporators to ease drainage management. For any small issue arising from drainage, BMC previously had to request the works department.“Drains under the works department came under our administrative control. This is a big development in terms of managing the entire length and breadth of internal drains without having to depend on another agency.

This will help fix drainage problems quickly and bring about clarity in drain cleaning and desiltation,” said mayor Sulochana Das.BMC officials said that except for 65 km of Idco drains and 34 km of NHAI-managed drains, no other agency has control over the city’s internal drains. “Covering of open drains, construction and repair used to cause a lot of confusion. Now, BMC will be able to handle all the operations fully,” a BMC officer said.

Out of the total length, altogether 95 km of drains still remain uncovered (open), and most of these were under the works department. However, the drains will be covered now, with the govt making provision to cover another 27 km of internal drains.“A thorough pan-city survey is currently being undertaken by IIT Roorkee. The study will explore the possibility of building more drains in new areas and widening or redesigning existing ones,” said BMC city engineer Narad Rath.Ward 23, one of the biggest under BMC’s jurisdiction, has no drainage infrastructure even though nearly 100,000 residents — including some of the most affluent households — get marooned in stagnant water during rain. The area and its periphery will require more drains, civic body officials said.Residents said that without drains along the roads, rainwater spills over roads and remains there until the rain recedes. Commuters, whether cyclists or motorists, have to wade through the stormwater. The prevailing condition also damages roads in a short time.