BHUBANESWAR: The joint demolition squad of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and
Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) on Monday razed as many as 17 unauthorised structures that had encroached on the land belonging to Haza Pokhari, a natural reservoir, which is the source of a natural drainage channel.
The illegal strucures were causing
waterlogging in the nearby areas. This, officials said, is the first phase of the eviction drive. It had to be stopped midway because of heavy rain. The drive will help reclaim the original shape and size of the natural pond. It will also pave the way for increasing the carrying capacity of the pond such that storm water doesn't spill over to residential areas and wreak havoc.
Owing to rampant encroachment and dumping of municipal, construction and demolition waste, the pond initially spread over seven acres, has shrunk to an acre of land. "We have started digging Haza Pokhari to remove sludge and other wastes. This exercise will increase the water intake of the pond," a BDA official said.
A group of youths had long been holding demonstrations near the pond demanding removal of encroachments. After Monday's demolition drive, the group called off the strike. "The drive will continue till the original shape is restored," the official added.
The BMC drainage division has started the process of preparing a master plan for the construction of a drainage channel from Krishna Tower to Mumtaz Ali High School and Mumtaz Ali High School to Nayapalli Haza area. This will help release the stagnant water near Iskcon, Behera Sahi and Haza area. It will also help direct storm water towards natural drain 10.
The joint squad also razed a temple near the entrance to Krishna Garden at Jagamara. "We have announced zero tolerance towards encroachment on drains and natural water bodies to solve the city's waterlogging problem," the official added.
The enforcement squad imposed a penalty of Rs 5,000 on a house owner in ward 62 in front of DAV School. The fine was slapped after the BMC officials discovered that the waste of the house was blocking the road. The BMC's vehicle lifted the waste and recovered the cost of transportation from the penalty.
