Sambalpur: City Drowning in Garbage; Drains in Mudipada Remain Uncleaned for Three Months, Allegations of Misuse of Government Funds for Cleaning

Sambalpur’s Cleaning System in Trouble

Sambalpur: The streets of Sambalpur are facing a major hygiene crisis. Drains are left uncleaned, and garbage piles up everywhere, creating health risks for the city’s residents. Despite repeated complaints from locals, the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has failed to take action. Officials remain silent, offering vague excuses instead of solutions.

Complaints from Mudipada Residents

Residents of Ward No. 22, especially in Mudipada, have raised serious concerns. For the past three months, drains in the area have not been cleaned. Small drains are completely clogged, causing water to overflow onto the streets.

Even after filing complaints through the SMC’s WhatsApp helpline, no action was taken. The residents approached the ward officer, but no progress was made. Days have turned into weeks, and the drains remain filthy.

Officials Ignore Problems

When residents contacted SMC officers to demand answers, they were met with excuses. The officials claimed that cleaning cannot happen daily and can only be done every 15 days. This lack of commitment has angered locals, who feel the city’s cleaning staff is neglecting its duties.

Similar Issues in Hirakud

The same problems exist in Hirakud. Local BJD youth leader Laxmi Mahapatra complained about dirt piling up on the roads in the Hirakud-Remed area. According to him, a friend of his recently had an accident caused by the mud dumped on the road from nearby drains. Despite complaints to the SMC, the cleaning work has not been completed.

Corruption in the Cleaning System

Locals have accused cleaning contractors of corruption. These contractors reportedly show fake employees on paper to grab government funds. For example, 25 employees are officially assigned to each ward, but many of them only mark attendance through biometric systems and do no work. This misuse of funds has further enraged residents.

Why Modern Cleaning Systems Are Missing

Cities like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have adopted modern cleaning methods, but Sambalpur lags behind. The SMC owns advanced equipment, like road-scraper vehicles, to clean streets. However, these vehicles are rarely used, and one of them has been sitting idle for years.

When contacted, SMC Deputy Commissioners Sushant Sahu and Shubhadipta Mohanty did not respond, leaving residents frustrated.

The Call for Change

Locals demand immediate action from the SMC to clean the city and improve hygiene. Sambalpur deserves the same level of cleanliness and modern infrastructure as other major cities. Without swift action, the city’s health and image will continue to suffer.