The Orissa High Court has expressed serious concern over the persistent waterlogging issue in Cuttack, criticizing the lack of progress on crucial drainage projects.
Despite plans to construct a drainage system on Railways land at Matagajpur, the court observed that no tangible action has been taken.
A joint team comprising officials from the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), Railways, Drainage Department, and the Advocate Committee has been directed to conduct a field inspection of the Matagajpur drainage site on July 27. The inspection aims to assess the delay and chart immediate steps to resolve the problem.
The court also raised objections regarding the mismanagement of Cuttack City Hospital and highlighted the lack of proper parking facilities at the under-construction Matrumangal Gruha. The Executive Engineer of the R&B Department informed the court that the hospital construction is expected to be completed by June, prompting the bench to stress the need for timely execution of public infrastructure projects.
Saroj Padhi, a member of the Advocate Committee, pointed out the acute drainage issues, stating, “Waterlogging starts within just 15 minutes of rain. The Railways received Rs 15 crore from WATCO three years ago, but no work has started yet.” The court has formed a high-level committee, including the CMC Commissioner, to expedite the matter.
