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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
‘Inhumane' Cuttack municipal body forces workers to clean drain without safety gear
CUTTACK: The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has continued engaging sanitary workers in manual scavenging of drains without providing them any protective gear, in blatant violation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act-2013. One such incident came to light on Thursday when a man, holding a motor tube, was seen swimming bare body in the main storm water channel (MSWC-I) stretching from Matru Bhawan to Nuabazar, cleaning the weeds with the help of a bamboo stick. Not only that, some minor boys were also allegedly engaged at the site to remove the weeds from the banks of the drain in violation of the Child Labour(Prohibition and Regulation) Act. 'Venturing into drains bare body for manual cleaning work is not just risky but also life-threatening as the channels contain dirty, polluted water. They are laden with sharp items like broken glasses, metals and spikes besides poisonous snakes in the waterbodies. Also, there was no one present at the spot to supervise the work,' alleged city-based activist Jitendra Kumar Sahoo. Even though manual scavenging has already claimed many lives in the past, the civic body has seemingly not yet learnt its lesson and openly violating the law. In April 15, 2021, two workers had died of asphyxiation and another had become critical while cleaning a sewerage system of 15-ft depth at CDA-sector-10.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Busy Cuttack square scores ‘0' in pedestrian safety audit
Cuttack: Khannagar Square, one of the city's busiest intersections, has received a '0-star' pedestrian safety rating in a recent traffic audit, raising serious concerns among residents. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The audit, conducted by the Forum for Prevention of Road Accidents (FPRA) under the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) Star Rating Mobility Snapshot, revealed that the junction failed to meet even basic safety parameters. The audit report was submitted to Cuttack Municipal Corporation and the DCP last week. "Khannagar Square has become a death trap for pedestrians," said Bikash Mohapatra, adviser of FPRA and road safety expert. "It's alarming that authorities have allowed vehicle movement without basic safety measures like zebra crossings, signage, pedestrian signals and traffic lights." The square, situated along the Kathajodi river, serves as a crucial connection point between Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT), Badambadi market and Rajabagicha. Daily traffic includes over 10,000 buses and 25,000 other vehicles. Former ACP (traffic), Krushna Samal, emphasised the need for immediate intervention. "Authorities must reduce speed limits to 40 kmph, install speed bumps and rumble strips, and ensure strict enforcement of traffic rules," he said. Urban planner Ananya Rath highlighted the absence of basic infrastructure. "There are no proper street lights or signage. People are forced to dodge vehicles in pitch darkness," she said. Locals expressed frustration over the situation. "It's a life threat every time we try to cross the road," said Suraj Sahoo, a Rajabagicha resident. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Responding to concerns, Cuttack mayor Subhash Singh told TOI, "We will hold a meeting over the issue. Safety of pedestrians is non-negotiable, and we will soon initiate steps to improve lighting, signage, zebra crossings and overall infrastructure at Khannagar Square."
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
After HC contempt warning, CMC commissioner assures to enforce stay on vending zone work
1 2 3 4 5 6 Cuttack: After Orissa high court warned of contempt action, commissioner of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) on Friday assured to enforce the stay order on the construction of a vending zone along the boundary wall of the second campus of Madhusudan Law University (MLU) at Jobra here. The vacation bench of Justices S K Sahoo and M S Sahoo observed, "We are of the view that on the face of records, it appears that the commissioner, CMC has flouted the order of this court dated May 20 as the construction of shop rooms that was initiated by the CMC was directed to be stopped. The commissioner is responsible for the acts of commission and omission that have happened after the orders were passed in his presence. " "Law is well settled that whenever there is a deliberate flouting of the order of the court, it amounts to contempt and it becomes the duty of the court to exercise its inherent power to set the wrong right as a party cannot be permitted to perpetuate the wrong by disobeying the order further," the bench warned. "When the order was passed on May 20 in the presence of the CMC commissioner, it was nonetheless his bounden duty to see that no one should flout the same," the bench observed, adding, "It is unfortunate that no steps have been taken immediately by the authorities concerned to prevent such activities and as stated by the CMC commissioner 'hooligans' have dared to violate the orders of this court." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo CMC commissioner Anam Charan Patra, who was present in virtual mode, assured to enforce the court's stay order by taking necessary steps to protect the entire area immediately. He said barbed wire fencing with iron/concrete pillars will be installed to prevent vending/other activities there. Taking it on record, the bench directed the CMC commissioner to file a detailed affidavit regarding the steps taken to carry out the court's May 20 order when the matter is taken up for hearing on June 30. Three students — Aroop Kumar Deo, Sarvani Sahoo and Ambika Prasad Jena — filed a PIL seeking intervention against construction of the vending zone. Though the PIL was scheduled for June 30, the vacation bench took it up on Friday after advocate Prasanna Kumar Nanda, representing the petitioners, made urgent mention alleging that vending zone construction was going on in violation of the court's May 20 stay order. Later on special notice, Patra and DCP (Cuttack) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo appeared through virtual mode. Inspector in-charge of Malgodown police station, Suprasanna Kumar Mallick, also joined from the spot where the construction activities were allegedly going on in contravention of the interim order. Mallick showed live video footage of the construction that involved covering some portion of the vending zone cabins with galvanised iron roof. Patra expressed helplessness and conceded that some hooligans have started construction in violation of the court's order. Expressing displeasure, the bench said that from such submission of CMC commissioner, it is apparent that the allegations made by the counsel for the petitioners are "prima facie correct". DCP (Cuttack) also assured to ensure compliance of the court's interim order in letter and spirit and anyone who tries to violate it shall be appropriately dealt with in accordance with law.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HC to hear plea against vending zone near law varsity
Cuttack: Orissa high court will hear arguments on May 1 regarding construction of a vending zone by Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) adjacent to Madhusudan Law University 's second campus at Jobra. The PIL filed by the university council officials, including president Sravani Sahoo, challenges the ongoing construction, citing potential disruption to campus access and traffic flow. During Tuesday's hearing, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman declined to issue an interim status quo order before hearing CMC's response. The court has directed CMC commissioner to file a reply before the next hearing. The petitioners, represented by advocates Prasanna Nanda and Purusottam Chuli, argued that the vending zone's location along the northern boundary wall would obstruct the planned main entrance and cause traffic congestion on the service road. The second campus development includes plans for a 300-seat women's hostel, classrooms for the 5-year Integrated LLB course, a gymnasium-cum-auditorium, and a guest house. The university also intends to beautify the surrounding area with landscaping and plantation. Madhusudan Law University, currently having 1,020 students, offers various law programmes including 5-year Integrated LLB, 3-year LLB, and LLM courses at its main campus near College Square. The court's decision on this matter could significantly impact both the university's expansion plans and the municipal corporation's vendor rehabilitation efforts.
