Cuttack: Authorities of Ravenshaw University (RU) here have allegedly encroached upon a natural drain for constructing boundary walls for their second campus at Naraj here.
Some social activists and experts have claimed that encroachment on Kharasua nullah at Naraj would hinder release of floodwater from Kathajodi river, a distributary of Mahanadi.
They have opined that the CDA area, the National Law University and the second campus of Ravenshaw University may witness extensive waterlogging if immediate steps are not taken to demolish the illegally-constructed boundary walls on Kharasua nullah.
According to social activists and locals, Kharasua nullah was instrumental in releasing floodwater from Kathajodi. The 2.5 km long natural drainage system passes through Sector 14 and Sector 15 areas of CDA.
“The natural drainage system remains dry for most part of a year. The university authorities have encroached upon Kharasua nullah in violation of the High Court order,” said a source familiar with the issue.
It is learnt that the university authorities have spent around Rs 8 crore for constructing boundary walls and some roads at their second campus at Naraj. Recently, the university has received financial grants worth Rs 24 crore for its second campus. “We could not utilise the funds in construction work due to imposition of Model Code of Conduct for the 2019 General and Assembly Elections. We will soon resume construction work at our second campus,” said a source in Ravenshaw University.
Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) engineer Ramesh Kumar Mohanty said they would soon discuss the Kharasua nullah issue with Ravenshaw authorities. “Encroachment on the natural drainage system is a matter of concern for us. Any type of construction on the nullah is illegal,” he added.
Irrigation department engineer Santosh Kumar Swain said they have conducted a survey on Kharasua nullah. “The boundary walls of Ravenshaw University second campus block the nullah at two places. We will do the needful to solve the issue,” Swain added.
Ravenshaw University registrar Ashok Kumar Das said they would discuss the issue with CDA and Irrigation department.
Vice-Chancellor Ishan Kumar Patro, however, claimed that they have constructed the boundary walls as per the master plan. “We have not violated any guideline. The authorities of CDA and Irrigation department are yet to hold discussions with us. They did not seek our presence while conducting a survey on the nullah,” he added.