Patnaik writes to Gadkari over waterlogging along NH-16

With the state capital facing waterlogging problem along the National Highway-16 passing through Bhubaneswar city, Odisha government today sought the Centre's intervention to resolve the issue.

"I would request your kind intervention for an early solution to these issues," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari, officials said.

Patnaik pointed out that the service lane of NH-16 near ISKCON Temple between CRPF Square and Nayapalli area of Bhubaneswar has been witnessing regular flooding with rains every time. The area is getting inundated during rains some times up to three feet of water resulting in severe disruption of road traffic and damages to parked vehicle, he said in the letter.

Occurrence of such ponding of rain water for such long periods has been observed from the days of construction of the solid high embankment of the National Highway without providing adequate discharge points and vantages, it said.

"NHAI authorities have been intimated time and again about the concern. Constructing solid high embankments instead of viaducts aggravates the drainage issues by concentrating the rain water into the valleys. Similar situation is also occurring near Jaydev Vihar Square, Rasulgargh/Palasuni and Pahala on NH-16," the letter said.

Patnaik said the NHAI authorities have been requested to construct drain along the service lane from ISKCON area to Vani Vihar area for smooth discharge of rain water and provide similar provisions near Rasulgarh/Palasuni and Pahala on NH-16.

"But, the issues have not yet been addressed and the situation is getting from bad to worse," he added.