Dharmasala: Local shopkeepers of Jaraka market in Dharmasala block of Jajpur district along with hundreds of customers dependent on this market are a worried lot as negligence on parts of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to clean the drains under its control floods this market every time it rains.
According to local businessmen, even though NHAI had constructed drains on both sides of NH-16 bypass road here for smooth passage of rain water, they have not maintained or cleaned it in past three years. These drains cannot facilitate free flow of water as they are clogged with waste and garbage.
Waterlogging has become a cause of concern as it was the case Wednesday after 118mm rains in 24 hours. Jaraka bazaar was flooded.
It is not unusual for rainwater to flood shops here. The locals and businessmen have alleged that the overflowing drains in the locality have made their life miserable.
Despite repeated appeals, NHAI has done nothing to clean the drains, rued a local businessman while demanding immediate administrative intervention of NHAI to sort this issue.
PNN