Bhubaneswar Intensifies Action on Urban Flooding and Drainage Management

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step toward strengthening Bhubaneswar’s resilience to urban flooding, Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, conducted an early morning field visit to key drainage channels — Ganguanala and Daya West Canal — on Saturday. The visit focused on evaluating water management and flood mitigation strategies in critical areas under the jurisdiction of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA).

Smt. Padhee was joined by BMC Commissioner Rajesh Pravakar Patil, BDA Vice Chairman Dr. N. Thirumala Nayak, Additional Secretary Satrughan Kar, and a team of senior engineers and urban planners from BMC and BDA.

The inspection aimed to assess the current state of the city’s primary drainage corridors, which are vital to mitigating the risks posed by monsoon-related urban flooding. The officials reviewed desilting requirements, cleaning operations, and restoration measures to ensure the natural flow of water is maintained. Discussions also centered around addressing encroachments, removing structural obstructions, and developing an integrated drainage management strategy.

Highlighting the importance of ecological sensitivity, Padhee stressed the need for a holistic and sustainable approach. “We must integrate engineering interventions with ecological restoration and active community involvement. The goal is not just to prevent flooding but to restore the environmental integrity of our urban water bodies,” she said.

She instructed officials to prepare a detailed action plan with clear timelines, aligning the interventions with Bhubaneswar’s long-term vision of becoming a flood-resilient, environmentally responsible, and livable urban centre.