TV
The residents of the Laxmisagar-Chintamaniswar area on Tuesday reportedly gave an earful to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor over the pathetic condition of the roads and sanitation in the locality.
Accepting the invitation of the residents of Laxmisagar Chintamaniswar area, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra on Tuesday visited the area to see for himself the condition of roads in the locality. He was accompanied by BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, BMC Commissioner Rajesh Pravakar Patil, the civic body’s officials and Ekamra MLA Babu Singh.
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The Minister went around the locality on foot. Later, he went to see the historical ‘Dhoba Pokhari’, a pond. Here, the residents’ pent-up anger over the pathetic condition of roads and sanitation found an outlet and they gave the Mayor an earful.
Moments later, she was not found there. It is being discussed that she could not face the wrath of the residents and did a disappearing act.
“He ( Krushna Chandra Mohapatra) is the first Minister who has visited to see the work of the project. It has been going on for five years. People of this area are suffering a lot,” rued a local resident.
As per the allegations of the residents, the resurrection work of the historical pond that started at a cost of Rs 8 crore in 2016 has been left midway. Due to the alleged encroachment by builders, the area of the pond has been reduced to nine acres from its original 22 acres.
“The pond’s area has been squeezed from its original 22 acres to nine acres. They should begin work after reclaiming the original land,” said another resident.
After giving the residents a patient hearing, the Minister directed the concerned officials to address the problems.
On the other hand, the Mayor was found alongside the Minister in Oscar City, Nico Park and when he was reviewing the progress of work of the Haj Pond project in Nayapalli.
“We have told the Commissioner to get the roads repaired. Later, the sewerage system will also be added. Regarding the pond, we will have a meeting with the Mayor, the Commissioner and other officials to review the present situation,” said the Minister.
“Two years ago, I had visited the pond and saw it was covered with faecal waste and was filled up with silt. Then our government took a decision with the approval of the Central government to rejuvenate all the ponds. Today, these things were reviewed,” said Mayor Das.
