Cuttack: The Orissa high court has recorded significant headway in Rs 496-crore Branch Storm Water Channel project, a key anti-flooding initiative for Cuttack, with final design approvals now secured and tendering set to begin by mid-June.Monitoring the progress of the project on Thursday, a two-judge bench, comprising Justices K R Mohapatra and V Narasingh, took on record submissions indicating that Water Corporation of Odisha (Watco) has obtained structural design clearance for five proposed storm water channels from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bhubaneswar on April 21.The project, being implemented under Cuttack Municipal Corporation, is aimed at tackling chronic urban flooding and waterlogging through construction of five major drainage channels across the city.
The development comes after an earlier scrutiny by IIT-Bhubaneswar flagged deficiencies in the initial structural and hydraulic designs in the detailed project reports, prompting judicial intervention.Acting on directions issued by the high court on Feb 26 to adhere to strict timelines, Watco undertook a fresh survey between Feb 16 and 22, including drone-based assessments, and revised the hydraulic designs based on updated field data.
According to an affidavit filed by Watco managing director Debabrata Mohanty, the institute had initially cleared submission of final designs on April 16, following which the revised drawings were submitted on April 18, and approved within three days.Counsel for Watco, advocate P K Bhuyan, placed the approval letter, along with a detailed activity schedule, before the court, which has now been formally taken on record.As per the timeline submitted, preparation of cost estimates is expected to be completed by May 10, with administrative approval from Watco’s board likely by May 30. Technical sanction is scheduled for June 8, while the request for proposal and detailed tender call notice are expected to be ready by June 12. The tender for the project is likely to be floated on June 16.The bench has listed the matter for further monitoring on July 9, as the project moves into its execution phase, raising hopes of a long-term solution to flooding issues in the city.
