Bhubaneswar Plans Major Rejuvenation for Gangua Nullah to Combat Pollution and Flooding |
Bhubaneswar: The Gangua Nullah could regain its former splendour with the water resources department, in collaboration with Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), devising a comprehensive rejuvenation plan for the water body.
A high-level meeting was recently convened to draft a plan where senior govt officials deliberated on revitalising the nullah, which has transformed into a sewage disposal channel for the city.
“Rejuvenation of Gangua Nullah would be a strategic move towards major urban flood control, ensuring proper drainage, improved water quality, and enhanced beautification,” the minutes of the meeting, as seen by TOI, pointed out.
According to the plan, the development of Gangua Nullah will proceed in a coordinated manner involving all stakeholders. While the renovation will be executed by the water resources department, the septic drains will be managed by the housing and urban development department.
The BMC shall oversee the plugging of the drains that fall into the Gangua Nullah and remove encroachments. The ownership of the water body, however, remains with the water resources department.
“Gangua Nullah will be developed with a basic guiding principle of urban flood control and management strategy, keeping in view the urbanisation scenario of Bhubaneswar city in 2036,” the minutes indicated.
During the meeting, officials decided to set up a committee comprising members from the water resources department, BDA, BMC, Water Corporation of Odisha and tourism department to periodically review the rejuvenation work.
All stakeholders shall collect relevant data related to the development of Gangua Nullah, including past and ongoing studies, and ancillary activities for presentation during forthcoming meetings, the minutes pointed out.
The authorities are considering replicating the rejuvenation plan implemented for Amanishah Nullah in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Tourism secretary Balwant Singh, while attending the meeting, cited the example of Amanishah Nullah.
A team from Odisha is expected to visit Jaipur this month to study the rejuvenation plan of Amanishah Nullah. “We are taking the best possible efforts to restore Gangua Nullah to its earlier position,” mayor Sulochana Das said.
Das mentioned that they are developing sewage treatment plants which would treat the water before releasing it into the water bodies. “We are aware of the situation and are taking steps accordingly,” she said.
A high-level meeting was recently convened to draft a plan where senior govt officials deliberated on revitalising the nullah, which has transformed into a sewage disposal channel for the city.
“Rejuvenation of Gangua Nullah would be a strategic move towards major urban flood control, ensuring proper drainage, improved water quality, and enhanced beautification,” the minutes of the meeting, as seen by TOI, pointed out.
According to the plan, the development of Gangua Nullah will proceed in a coordinated manner involving all stakeholders. While the renovation will be executed by the water resources department, the septic drains will be managed by the housing and urban development department.
The BMC shall oversee the plugging of the drains that fall into the Gangua Nullah and remove encroachments. The ownership of the water body, however, remains with the water resources department.
“Gangua Nullah will be developed with a basic guiding principle of urban flood control and management strategy, keeping in view the urbanisation scenario of Bhubaneswar city in 2036,” the minutes indicated.
During the meeting, officials decided to set up a committee comprising members from the water resources department, BDA, BMC, Water Corporation of Odisha and tourism department to periodically review the rejuvenation work.
All stakeholders shall collect relevant data related to the development of Gangua Nullah, including past and ongoing studies, and ancillary activities for presentation during forthcoming meetings, the minutes pointed out.
The authorities are considering replicating the rejuvenation plan implemented for Amanishah Nullah in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Tourism secretary Balwant Singh, while attending the meeting, cited the example of Amanishah Nullah.
A team from Odisha is expected to visit Jaipur this month to study the rejuvenation plan of Amanishah Nullah. “We are taking the best possible efforts to restore Gangua Nullah to its earlier position,” mayor Sulochana Das said.
Das mentioned that they are developing sewage treatment plants which would treat the water before releasing it into the water bodies. “We are aware of the situation and are taking steps accordingly,” she said.
