Bhubaneswar: In a proactive and timely move to bolster Bhubaneswar’s defences against the impending monsoon, Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, conducted an early morning site visit today to the critical Ganguanala and Daya West Canal areas.
This crucial assessment, undertaken within the jurisdictions of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), underscores the city’s commitment to mitigating urban flooding as the monsoon season approaches.
Smt. Padhee was accompanied by key officials including BMC Commissioner Rajesh Pravakar Patil, BDA Vice Chairman N Thirumala Nayak, Additional Secretary Satrughan Kar, and senior engineers and planners from both BMC and BDA, highlighting a coordinated effort to address the city’s flood vulnerabilities.
Principal Secretary’s visit specifically aimed to assess the current condition of these vital drainage channels and associated water bodies, which form the backbone of Bhubaneswar’s monsoon flood management system.
Discussions focused on immediate and long-term strategies for desilting, cleaning, and restoring the natural flow of these channels, crucial steps before the heavy rains set in.
The Team Urban also thoroughly reviewed existing encroachment issues, identified structural bottlenecks that impede water flow, and emphasized the urgent need for integrated planning to significantly enhance the water-carrying capacity and ecological health of these urban watercourses.
Smt. Padhee stressed the critical importance of a holistic approach, combining robust engineering solutions with ecological restoration and active community engagement. She directed officials to swiftly prepare a comprehensive action plan with specific, time-bound interventions.
This plan is designed to ensure that all efforts are meticulously aligned with Bhubaneswar’s broader vision of becoming a flood-resilient and sustainable urban center, especially in light of the monsoon season.
This pre-monsoon field visit vividly demonstrates the State Government’s steadfast commitment to proactive governance, diligent environmental stewardship, and inclusive urban development, ensuring Bhubaneswar is better prepared to face the challenges posed by the upcoming rains.