Bhubaneswar: In view of the ensuing monsoon and possible chances of flooding in the urban areas of the state, housing and urban development department minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Thursday specifically directed the officials to ensure that such situations do not arise.
The direction came from Mahapatra during the review meeting of the department held on Thursday wherein he held discussions with the top officials of the department about the issues of the urban areas and their solutions.Mahapatra’s direction to tackle urban flooding holds significance now especially after Tuesday’s incident in which a boy died after being washed away in an open drain in Bhubaneswar. The incident took place after an intense spell of rain in the city.
The minister has directed to solve the waterlogging and drainage problems in cities like Bhubaneswar on a priority basis. On the direction of the minister, a guideline has been issued by the department regarding floodwater management in urban areas, sources said.
Mahapatra said urban development is essential for Odisha, which is linked with the goal of a developed India. Since Bhubaneswar is the capital of the state, it is necessary to develop the city to global standards, he said.
G Mathivathanan, additional chief secretary of housing and urban development department, made a presentation on the journey of urban development in the state and detailed the achievements of various schemes and programmes of the department.

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