Opposition slams Odisha Government 

BHUBANESWAR: As several parts of the Smart City Bhubaneswar were flooded due to heavy rains twice during the last seven days, the Congress and BJP came down heavily on the State Government for its failure to come to the rescue of citizens. 

And there were also rumblings of discontentment in the ruling BJD with a minister criticising vested interests for the situation. “Some vested interest individuals and groups are responsible for this situation. Natural flow of storm water has been deliberately obstructed at several places. Even in old town area some officials are not allowing construction of drains,” the Minister said.

However, the BJP has strongly criticised the Minister for trying to wriggle out of the situation by blaming the officials only. BJP spokesperson Golak Prasad Mohapatra said the minister’s statement has proved that local corporators and officials of the BMC are responsible for the sorry state of affairs.

Alleging that the situation in the city is completely man-made, Mohapatra alleged that illegal constructions have choked rain water release and created a man-made flood.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari when the NH-16 in front of ISKCON temple was under storm water, Mohapatra said and asked whom will he now write when the Kedar Gouri temple is under water.

President of OPCC Niranjan Patnaik said the Chief Minister is busy in reviewing the situation when the common man continues to suffer. “The result of the sloppiness and negligence of BJD is on full display in Bhubaneswar since the last few days and it doesn’t look very smart,” he said. 

Eight trains cancelled
Altogether eight trains were cancelled, six short-terminated and 42 others regulated on different routes due to waterlogging at Khurda Road and Bhubaneswar railway stations and Puri yard on Saturday following incessant rains in the last 24 hours.

Bhubaneswar-Jagdalpur Hirakhand Express got stuck about one hour near Bhalumaska Station in Rayagada district as rail tracks were submerged in rainwater. It later brought back to the station and halted for three hours. An official said railway engineers immediately attended that site and gave safety clearance following which the train left at 11.30 am.

“There was no damage to tracks. The train slowly followed two brave trackmen who gave safety clearance after checking the tracks,” he said.

Two of three lines between Khurda Road and Bhubaneswar were suspended after rain water touched the demarcated mark at a small bridge near Retang railway station. Trains services were allowed only on the UP line leading to delay of several trains.

Sources at East Coast Railway said all Rath Yatra special trains between Khurda Road-Puri-Khurda Road and Khurda Road-Nayagarh-Khurda Road were cancelled along with Cuttack-Paradip-Cuttack Passenger train and Bhubaneswar-Puri-Bhubaneswar Rath Yatra special passenger train.