The Hindu 15.12.2010
Rs. 600-crore drainage project planned for city
Staff Reporter
| Detailed project report submitted to the Water Resource Department |
Phase-I of the project to cover renovation of major drains
Joint inspection of drains to be taken up
BHUBANESWAR: As almost all major drains of Bhubaneswar are ill-maintained and unable to drain out overflowing storm water, a detailed project report for storm water drainage project envisaging an investment to the tune of Rs. 600 crores has been submitted to the Water Resource Department for execution. The DPR includes a comprehensive development plan (CDP) for the storm water drainage system for the capital city.
The phase-I of the DPR covers the renovation of major drains as approved under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission and Phase-II relates to the renovation and maintenance of secondary and tertiary drains.
Now the authorities of the Housing and Urban Development Department say the CDP for storm water drainage should be shared with Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Bhubaneswar Development Authority, Roads and Buildings and National Highway Authority to ensure that roads are built accordingly.
Review meet
The issue has been thoroughly discussed at a review meeting held in the chamber of housing and urban development secretary. The DPR has been prepared by Meinhardt (Singapore) Pvt Ltd.
There are about 10 major drains and a number of secondary and tertiary drains, which are supposed to drain out the overflowing storm water in the city. According to the review meeting, none of these drains is under proper maintenance which has resulted in encroachment from both sides thereby constricting the drains to almost 40 per cent of the original width of the drains.
Although Water Resource Department has drawn up a plan estimating an expenditure of Rs. 130.40 crores for the renovation of nine out of 10 drains, the estimate is reduced to Rs. 68.44 crores at the time of sanction from the Ministry of Urban Development. The process then got halted.
Meanwhile, the Water Resource Department is ready to take up renovation of four major drains with available fund. It has been decided at the meeting that the Chief Engineer, drainage, will organise a joint inspection of all the major drains and list out the encroachment cases and land acquisition cases.
It will be intimated to the BMC Commissioner who in turn will coordinate with the General Administration Department and Revenue Department for necessary eviction of encroachment and acquisition of land required. For the time being, the BMC will coordinate with other line departments for regular maintenance of drains in line with the CDP.
