Odisha to Take IIT-Delhi’s Technical Support to Check Urban Flooding

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to seek technical support of IIT, Delhi to prepare a comprehensive flood management plan to put brakes on water-logging woes in urban areas during monsoon season, especially in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, expressed concern over monsoon flooding in urban areas and promised his government’s commitment to solve the issue through a long-term programme.

A long-term program is being prepared for flood management in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and other urban areas with the technical support of IIT Delhi, said the Odisha CM while presiding the State Natural Disaster Committee meeting-2024 here at the State Secretariat.

CM Majhi directed the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to prepare a draft proposal of Rs 200 crore for urban flood management.

He also directed the Urban Development Department to de-silt the drains in the urban areas and take measures for the release of excess rainwater.

Emphasizing zero casualties in natural calamities in the first State Natural Disaster Committee meeting, he said “We need to do a proper review of disaster preparedness to deal with floods and cyclones. The administration has to be vigilant to deal with the situation at the field level. Appropriate measures need to be taken in the fields of early warning, relief and rescue operations, drinking water supply, health, and veterinary treatment”.

The government has also decided to make operational five Regional Fire Service Hubs to tackle exigencies like the horrific Bahanaga triple train clash, which resulted in the tragic death of around 300 rail passengers, CM Majhi added.