Puri: Residents of Sujata Nagar and Matitota fifth lane in the city here have threatened to launch an agitation if the district administration and the civic body do not find a permanent solution to the issue of waterlogging in the locality.
The residents have threatened to block a bypass connecting Biraharekrushnapur Square and Mangala Ghat over the waterlogging issue.
The residents have alleged that Sujata Nagar and Matitota fifth lane has been witnessing severe waterlogging in rainy season for last few years due to the laying of the bypass. According to them, the bypass has been obstructing release of rainwater from the two localities.
Residents of the two localities had to face extensive waterlogging during the last monsoon. Many houses at Sujata Nagar and Matitota fifth lane were marooned for at least a month. Some of the residents were forced to abandon their houses and take shelter under makeshift huts alongside the bypass.
The district administration and the municipal body of the city initially ignored the plight of the two localities. However, the district collector and some senior officials visited the localities and took stock of the situation after the issue was highlighted in a section of media.
The administration made a cut on the bypass to release the rainwater temporarily. It had then promised to construct a culvert on the bypass and lay a proper drainage system at Sujata Nagar and Matitota fifth lane to bring a permanent solution to the waterlogging issue.
However, the administration is yet to keep its promises. Meanwhile, the authorities have repaired the cut on the bypass to facilitate vehicular traffic.
It is learnt that the locals have approached the district administration and urged the latter to keep its promises. However, the administration has failed to build the culvert and the drainage system, sources said.
“The administration has forgotten to keep its promises. We would be forced to take the law into our hands if the authorities do not solve the waterlogging issue permanently before the arrival of monsoons,” said Sarat Chandra Mishra, a local.
