Orissa High Court Imposes Strict Deadline for Cuttack's Anti-Flood Project
The Orissa High Court has issued a definitive timeline for the completion of the design phase for the ambitious Rs 496-crore Branch Storm Water Channel (BSWC) project in Cuttack. This critical infrastructure initiative aims to combat the city's persistent urban flooding issues, which have plagued residents for years.
Judicial Oversight and Technical Scrutiny
During a hearing on Thursday, a two-judge bench comprising Justices K R Mohapatra and V Narasingh reviewed the progress report submitted by the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO). The court took serious note of objections raised by IIT Bhubaneswar during their technical evaluation of the detailed project reports (DPRs).
The BSWC project involves constructing five major storm water channels under the jurisdiction of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC). Recognizing the project's "sensitive nature," the court has mandated the direct involvement of WATCO's Managing Director and two experts from IIT Bhubaneswar in all proceedings.
Design Deficiencies and Corrective Measures
In an affidavit presented to the court, WATCO Managing Director Debabrata Mohanty disclosed that IIT Bhubaneswar had identified multiple concerns regarding both structural and hydraulic aspects of the proposed design. These observations necessitated a comprehensive re-survey and complete revision of the project plans.
Acting on the technical institute's recommendations, WATCO conducted an intensive re-survey between February 16 and 22, 2026. This assessment incorporated advanced drone technology to gather accurate topographical data. The agency is currently developing a revised hydraulic design based on this new survey information.
Strict Implementation Timeline
The court has approved the following schedule for project completion:
- The revised hydraulic design report will be finalized by March 6 and submitted to IIT Bhubaneswar for vetting on March 7.
- IIT experts Dr Arindam Sarkar and Dr Sumanta Haldar, appearing virtually, assured the court that any necessary modifications would be communicated to WATCO by March 12.
- Following hydraulic parameter finalization, WATCO will prepare the structural design in consultation with IIT experts, submitting it by March 31.
- IIT Bhubaneswar will complete their vetting of the final structural design and deliver it to WATCO by April 15.
Next Steps and Judicial Monitoring
Once the technical designs receive final approval, WATCO will prepare updated cost estimates and initiate the tender process for project execution. The court has directed WATCO to file a fresh progress affidavit by April 20 and scheduled the next hearing for April 23.
This judicial intervention comes at a crucial time for Cuttack, where residents have long suffered from severe waterlogging and flooding during monsoon seasons. The BSWC project represents a significant step toward creating sustainable urban drainage infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events.
The court's active supervision ensures accountability and technical rigor in a project that will fundamentally transform Cuttack's resilience against climate-related urban flooding challenges.
