Flood Management / Puri Plans Mega Drainage Master Plan to End Urban Flooding

Puri, Aug 10: Urban flooding has emerged as one of the biggest challenges for Puri city, with drainage systems collapsing under the pressure of unplanned urban expansion.

To address the crisis, the Puri Municipal Corporation has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a Mega Drainage Master Plan, aimed at providing a long-term solution to waterlogging across the heritage city.

Currently, the Fire Services Department’s de-watering pumps have become the only lifeline for residents in flood-hit areas. These pumps, operated for 8-10 hours daily, consume 10-15 litres of diesel per hour, draining nearly 2.5 lakh litres of water each hour.

Also read: Odisha Braces for Week-Long Rainfall till August 16

Despite the effort, incessant rainfall continues to overwhelm the system, leaving several localities submerged. During Rath Yatra alone, 55 pumping stations were deployed, including 19 high-capacity pumps, yet the situation remained grim.

Areas such as Sujata Nagar, Mati Tota, Gopinathpur, Bharatipur, Dhobakhal, Khandiabandha, Mukund Mishra Nagar, and Kanthapur have no proper drainage systems, resulting in severe waterlogging.

Residents complain that town planning norms have been openly violated, with housing approvals granted from reservoirs to agricultural lands without considering drainage layouts. The Corporation has written to the Tehsil office, seeking strict action against such violations.

Between 2018 and 2025, ₹120 crore was spent on drainage and road projects. Now, a budget of ₹200 crore has been earmarked for the new master plan.

Officials say the expanded jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation requires additional DPRs to cover newly included areas. The Joint Commissioner confirmed that the mega plan is being finalized to provide a permanent solution.

For now, de-watering pumps offer temporary relief, but residents demand a sustainable drainage system to end recurring urban flooding. The question remains: when will the people of Puri finally be free from waterlogging woes?