The Hindu 16.11.2010
Sewerage project moving at a snail's pace
Staff Reporter
| Trenches, not barricaded properly at many places, posing danger to people |
The project envisages laying of 412 km length of underground gravity sewer lines in the capital
Sources say lack of coordination among various line departments is holding the project
BHUBANESWAR: Daily inconvenience being faced by Bhubaneswarites on account of half-dug trenches and sewer canals are not likely to be over in near future as implementation of integrated sewerage schemes for capital city is going at snail's pace.
The sewer project of Bhubaneswar city envisages laying of 412 km length of underground gravity sewer lines for collection of sewage of each household and establishment throughout the city in uncovered areas, replacement and renovation of all existing old sewers and construction of six sewage treatment plants.
The project was planned to be implemented by 2011. However, with less than a year left for the deadline, estimates say, less than 50 per cent of the works have been completed.
Take the example of sewer districts of 1 and 2. About 105 km of stretch was to be covered with sewer laying work. But at present only 31 km has been completed while work is in progress in about 15 km. Bhubaneswar has been divided into six districts.
Similarly, in sewer district-3, about 195 km-long-stretch was to be covered with provision of sewer links. As of now, only 55 km has been completed while work on 20 km to 22 km is currently going on.
Sources said lack of coordination among various line departments was holding the project. They added that land acquisition for pumping station and sewerage treatment plant had not been completed
JNNURM funding
Integrated Sewerage Scheme for Bhubaneswar city has been funded by Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission while the 20 per cent of the project cost which is State's share has been met from Japan International Cooperation Agency.
While at many places the trenches have not been properly barricaded creating danger for commuters, a little shower would make roads, along which the sewerage work is being implemented, non-motorable.
Sources in Orissa Water Supply and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) said works on many main sewer canals were not even started. The main road between Vani Vihar and Master Canteen, which is being expanded, could be dug again.
The sewer laying work in district 6 which include Rental Colony, IRC Village and Chandrasekharpur area would be taken up next year and is likely to be completed in 2015. Districts 4 and 5 which cover Kalinga Nagar and Andharua areas have also not been taken up.
The OWSSB sources said the private contractor was able to lay 2-km-long sewer lines per month. Going by the pace, the work would not get over within next two years. The project was mooted way back in 2004 and subsequently sanctioned in 2006. But actual implementation started in 2008.
