Amid colourful celebrations across Bhubaneswar, known as Ekamra Kshetra, to mark its 74th Foundation Day, City’s first woman mayor Sulochana Das, in an extensive talk to Aviral Mishra of Orissa POST, elaborates on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation(BMC)’s immediate plans to address various civic issues. Excerpts:
How can the BMC ensure better civic amenities with a trimmed budget of Rs 600cr as compared to Rs 628cr last year?
I firmly believe that where there is a will there’s a way. The Naveen Patnaik-led government has always been very receptive to the developmental needs of Bhubaneswar. The government often allocates adequate funds to the city. If required, we would request for additional funds from the government. Our top priority is to utilise the funds allocated to us and provide better civic amenities to the citizens.
What are your plans to better solid waste management?
The BMC has already undertaken several measures for solid waste management in the city. As many as 30 micro composting centres (MCCs) have been made operational while the work on 11 others is in the advance stage. At least 10 material recovery facilities out of the total 24 are now functioning in the city. Segregation of waste is being done for better management of the garbage. We are determined to make Bhubaneswar a model city in solid waste management.
How would you combat vector-borne diseases which often raise their ugly heads in the city?
We are working on this on a priority basis. We will soon start fumigation activities and also create awareness among people for the removal of stagnant water to eliminate the mosquito breeding sites.
How would you address the perennial problem of waterlogging?
This was the first thing that we deliberated upon at the BMC meeting. We are actively working on this and will ensure minimum waterlogging during the monsoon. Low-lying areas will have permanent pumping stations. Drains are being de-silted to tackle waterlogging. We seek cooperation from the citizens to deal with the issue effectively. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed us to work on this issue on a priority basis. We intend to make Bhubaneswar monsoon-ready in two months.
Any new service in the offing?
We are working to strengthen the ward-level offices so that they will act as nodal centers. The citizens can get various services from the ward-level offices. They need not rush to the BMC headquarters always. These ward-level offices will also play a key role for the redressal of people’s grievances. People’s representatives and the civic officials will work together to resolve various issues at the local level.
On Capital Foundation Day
“Bhubaneswar is one of the few cities in the world having rich heritage and state-of-the-art infrastructure. We all are proud of our city and we pledge to work together to realise the dream of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to make Bhubaneswar one of the best cities in the world”