Sambalpur: Eviction Drive Against Drain Encroachers; SMC Demolishes Shops in Golbazar-Laxminarayan Lane

Businesses Encroach Drains, Reduce Flow Capacity

Sambalpur: In Sambalpur, many shopkeepers have illegally occupied major drainage lines, especially in areas like Dhobijor and Tangana Nala. As a result, the water flow capacity has been drastically reduced. These encroachments are shrinking the drains and blocking proper drainage, causing artificial flooding during rains.

Drain Cleaning Delayed by Two Months

According to the original plan, the Water Resources Department should have completed drain cleaning by April. However, the department only started cleaning activities in June. This delay contributed to heavy waterlogging in several areas during Monday evening’s rain.

Drains Filled with Garbage and Water Pipes

Most city drains remain clogged with garbage. Additionally, around 8 to 10 PHD water supply pipes run through each drain. Workers hesitate to clean them properly due to fear of damaging the pipes. Even after the Chief Minister’s order to remove these pipes from the drains, authorities have not yet taken any serious action. This raises health and hygiene concerns.

SMC Begins Evictions After Flooding

After the flooding incident, Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) began eviction drives on Tuesday morning. Officials demolished slabs of two shops near Durga Mandir in Golbazar and also cleared parts of a garage and hotel near Panitanki in Mudipada. These structures had illegally occupied the drains.

Weak, Old Drains Add to Problem

The drains in Golbazar, San Sadak, Bada Sadak, and Laxminarayan Lane are old and weak. Dirty water often overflows onto the roads from these areas, especially during rains, creating flood-like situations. Some powerful individuals and business owners have encroached on these drains, which further worsens the situation.

Political Pressure Blocks Further Action

Though authorities have identified more illegal encroachments in places like Baidyanath Chowk and Veer Surendra Sai Marg, they are hesitant to demolish them. Whenever SMC attempts action, political leaders allegedly threaten officials, forcing the eviction team to back off. Consequently, the city continues to suffer from artificial floods without a permanent solution.

Poor Equipment and Incomplete Work

Drain cleaning is also being done without proper tools. Some drains have been partially cleaned, while others remain blocked. The delay in starting the cleaning work has made the situation worse, as water overflows onto roads even with short spells of rain.

Urgent Action Needed

Due to delay, negligence, and illegal occupation of drainage systems, Sambalpur faces repeated artificial flooding. Without strict enforcement, removal of encroachments, and timely cleaning, the situation will likely worsen with the monsoon.