Waterlogging At ISKCON: NHAI Asked To Take Up Temporary And Long-Term Measures

Massive Flooding Due To Rain In Front Of Iskon Temple, Bhubaneswar. Photograph: Ashok Panda

Bhubaneswar: There might be relief from waterlogging near ISKCON Temple at Nayapalli with the city authorities asking the NHAI to take up urgent short-term and long-term measures for the future.

The highway near ISKCON Temple remains submerged during heavy rains every year due to lack of proper outlet for the rainwater coming from the entire catchment of Nayapalli area.

The waterlogging issue was discussed at a meeting presided over by Khurda collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra in the presence of NHAI, BMC and the Works department officials on Tuesday afternoon.

The meeting decided to form a 3-member committee which would identify the water-logged areas in the city and prepare a blueprint to flush out the clogged water. On the basis of its recommendation, work would be taken up on a war-footing.

Meanwhile, the civic and development authorities have asked the NHAI to take up cleaning and de-silting measures of the adjoining drains near NH-16 and also install pumps on stand-by mode immediately in case there is heavy rain.

NHAI has also been directed to devise a long-term solution as the flyover dividing the entire area is like a big barrier making the water flow minimal from one side to the other.

It has become necessary to have a proper and robust drainage system to drain out extra water from the catchment of Nayapalli and nearby localities, from the water logging zone, so that in case of heavy rains water starts flowing instead of accumulating there.