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Water entered houses in Badagada area in Bhubaneswar, leading to chaos and strong public reaction. As BMC Commissioner visited the area for inspection, he was gheraoed by residents who demanded immediate action and accountability. The situation remained breathless in Badagada since Thursday, with knee-deep water inside many homes, forcing several residents to leave their houses and take shelter in nearby hotels.
Drainage Failure
People questioned the BMC Commissioner directly at the site, showing him the ground-level situation. Despite the deployment of pump sets to clear the water, the effort failed. The administration was compelled to cut through the road to create a channel for the water to drain and allow people to move around.
Angry Locals Demand Accountability
Several families struggled throughout the night. When the Commissioner arrived for inspection, angry residents surrounded him, questioning the inaction in addressing the recurring issue, especially with more monsoon days ahead. Many alleged that 10 to 12 feet of water had entered their homes, damaging essential household appliances and furniture.
Frustrated Locals Slam Officials Over Inaction
A local voiced his frustration saying, “This area has become a picnic spot for the BMC officials. They come here in the name of inspection, click pictures, and return. When we visit their offices, we’re told they’re on strike. They never do their jobs properly, and in the name of assistance, we are handed dry food as relief, but no real steps are being taken to address these issues.”
Families Shift to Hotels
Another resident said, “Furniture, fridge, and other appliances are completely damaged. People in this area are suffering a lot because of the waterlogging situation. Families are having to stay in nearby hotels.”
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Commissioner Cites Drain Blockage
Responding to the complaints, the BMC Commissioner said, “The drain has been blocked, and efforts are underway to clean it following discussions with the Water Resources Department. But there are issues arising in the cleaning process. So despite best efforts from both BMC and WRD, it could not be cleaned.”
Temporary Solution
He further added, “Due to the continuous rain, permanent restoration could not be done because of other challenges. To find a solution, the EIC himself is here to review the situation. OPTCL, WATCO, and other departments are also involved and actively working to resolve it.”
“We had deployed pumps in the area, but due to heavy rainfall, water got ponded. We have made temporary arrangements to address the issue immediately. However, a permanent solution will also be implemented soon.”
