Bhubaneswar Outskirts Face Waterlogging Crisis
The outskirts of Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s capital city, are rapidly gaining a negative reputation. Areas such as Sundarpada and Raghunathpur are notorious for waterlogging in the compounds of high-rise buildings and apartments due to unplanned construction.
Key Areas Affected
- Sundarpada
- Raghunathpur
Raghunathpur, particularly, is evolving into a real estate hub with top residential developers launching new projects there. These projects have been severely impacted by recent continuous rain, leading to waterlogging.
Impact of Poor Drainage
The drainage system in the area is inadequate. As a result, basements, approach roads, and ground floors of these buildings are underwater, and the water has yet to recede in many places.
Causes of Waterlogging
- Poor Planning
- Lack of Drainage Improvements
When multi-storey apartments were constructed, no thought was given to improving the drainage system of the area.
Geographical Factors
The new developing residential area and its surroundings lie in a valley of farmland. Rainwater from the Chandaka forest reserve and Nandankan’s Kanjia lake flows into these areas. Since agricultural lands were converted into residential plots, rainwater is bound to enter the buildings.
Blame Game Between Developers and BDA
Developers in the area blame the drainage division and lack of monitoring by the civic body for the unplanned growth. However, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) points the finger at builders for the problem. According to BDA, many housing projects around the city suffer due to poor planning, and many builders simply ignore constructing proper drainage systems.
Conclusion
Bhubaneswar, being a planned city, should not face waterlogging issues. However, the haphazard growth and poor implementation of norms have led to this ongoing problem.