Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition and BJD President Naveen Patnaik on Thursday expressed grave concern over the flooding situation in Rourkela, saying the “Smart City” is drowning due to the government’s inaction.
In a statement, Naveen said the urban flooding in Rourkela is not only threatening the livelihood of city residents but is also creating deep fear among the people due to lack of government response.
“In this urban deluge, people are enduring a submerged existence for days on end. Complaints are also arising that government facilities are not reaching them,” he said.
The former Chief Minister alleged that instead of standing with the people during the crisis, the government has “abandoned them.” “Without listening to the people, without resolving the people’s problems, the government is merely spinning empty pipe dreams,” Naveen said.
He said Rourkela, which brought glory to Odisha by hosting the Hockey World Cup, is now facing “disgrace as it drowns in floods.” “While such a situation had never been seen before, the city’s drainage and sewerage systems have now completely collapsed,” he added.
Referring to Odisha’s track record in disaster management, Naveen said the state had earned a name for firmly confronting major natural disasters, “yet this government is failing even in managing rainwater in urban areas.”
“Every life is valuable. The government must immediately prioritize and provide all kinds of government assistance to those affected by the flooding,” the BJD President demanded.
