Bhubaneswar, Jun 9 (FN Representative) Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved Rs 450.44 Crore tender for construction of box drains from Patapol to Matru Bhawan in Cuttack city. The drains will be constructed under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Assisted Odisha Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project (OISIP). The Housing and Urban Development department is implementing the OISIP through Orissa Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
The drainage system has been designed to mitigate perennial problems of flooding in Cuttack city by increasing the drain size for an increase in discharge capacity, installation of high capacity stormwater pumping stations and sluice gates for a quick and efficient bailout of floodwater during monsoon. Briefing newsmen after the cabinet meeting Chief Secretary S C Mohapatra the tender was split into two lots. One lot for 1850 metres from Patapol to Brajakbati and the lot two (1550 metres) from Brajakbati to Matrubhawan. The work for the construction of drains of both the lots has been awarded to M/S Nalanda SSGJV, Patna. The work is scheduled to start by July 1 next and scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2022. The cabinet took 11 decisions today out of which four related to construction and widening of Biju Expressway for enhanced connectivity between Western and Southern Odisha.