The Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has officially launched a crucial public consultation process to gather feedback for a proposed city-wide storm-water drainage master plan. This initiative, which began on Wednesday, aims to develop a long-term solution to the persistent problem of waterlogging and urban flooding in the Silk City.
First Consultation Held in Ward 1
The inaugural stakeholder meeting was conducted at Haradakhandi in ward number 1. The session saw the presence of Mayor Sanghamitra Delei, senior BeMC officials, technical experts, and local residents. Mayor Delei emphasized the civic body's commitment to creating a foolproof drainage master plan that would effectively address waterlogging, urban flooding, and ensure the free flow of drain and rainwater.
She appealed for the cooperation of residents, urging them to provide constructive suggestions to shape the proposed plan. The mayor confirmed that the detailed project report (DPR) for the master plan is slated for completion within the next six months.
Data-Driven Approach for a Comprehensive Plan
City Engineer Manoj Patra provided insights into the technical groundwork already underway. A Bhubaneswar-based consultant has been appointed to prepare the DPR. To ensure accuracy, the consultant has conducted an extensive survey of the entire ward area.
This survey involved traversing all roads, lanes, and bylanes using advanced technologies like DGPS, drones, and Q-field surveys. The objective is to collect precise data on the existing drainage network, assess its condition, determine water flow directions, and identify other critical factors.
Deputy Commissioner Kalyani Sanghamitra stated that similar ward-wise consultations will continue until all 42 wards of the city are covered. This inclusive approach ensures that local issues from every neighborhood are factored into the final master plan.
The Scale of the Challenge and Future Steps
Outlining the scale of the existing infrastructure, Engineer Manoj Patra revealed that BeMC currently manages a sewerage system spanning approximately 500 kilometers across all categories. This network covers a 36 square kilometer area serving the city's population of around five lakhs (500,000).
The stakeholder discussions focused on the drainage conditions, historical instances of waterlogging, problems with the sewerage system, and practical suggestions for enhancing the current setup. Once the master plan is drafted and the DPR is finalized, the municipal corporation will initiate the implementation phase to bring the blueprint to reality.
This project represents a significant step towards building resilient urban infrastructure for Berhampur, aiming to finally rid the Silk City of its monsoon woes and create a more livable environment for its citizens.
