A city drainage fix on National Highway 16 has unintentionally triggered waterlogging across several residential zones, raising concerns over flawed infrastructure decisions. Residents between Rasulgarh and Baramunda are now contending with unexpected flooding, following the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) removal of key road kerbs along the stretch.
Designed to ease highway water retention during monsoon spells, the dismantling of kerbs was aimed at allowing surface runoff to drain more freely. However, the move has led to a serious unintended consequence—rainwater now cascades directly into low-lying areas abutting the highway, exposing an acute lack of sustainable drainage foresight. The road kerbs, long seen as passive features, actually performed multiple crucial functions. Beyond guiding vehicles and separating pedestrian spaces, they also regulated the movement of stormwater by channelling it toward designated drainage systems. Their removal has rerouted rainwater into densely populated city pockets ill-equipped to handle surging flows.
In one of the hardest-hit zones near Rasulgarh, residents reported that surface runoff from the elevated highway now streams freely into local settlements. The area around the underpass near Satsang Vihar saw stagnation of water within hours of rainfall, suggesting a complete disruption in water channeling. The situation highlights the dangers of neglecting hydrological studies in infrastructure modification projects. In Nayapalli, the problem persists despite the recent construction of a culvert-style drain near the ISKCON Temple. The drain, although intended to reroute excess water, appears insufficient in capacity and has only shifted the flood burden downstream into nearby residential streets. Locals allege that the authorities prioritised protecting highway infrastructure while disregarding the lived reality of urban neighbourhoods.
The new pattern of water dispersal has brought renewed scrutiny to the environmental costs of quick-fix infrastructure works. Experts believe that the absence of an integrated water management system, coupled with piecemeal changes, is undermining Bhubaneswar’s climate resilience goals. As the city aspires to be more sustainable and livable, such missteps raise critical questions about inclusive planning. Urban planners and environmentalists argue that the solution lies not in diverting water from one point to another but in redesigning the entire stormwater management ecosystem. Solutions such as rainwater harvesting, permeable pavements, bioswales, and green corridors are still absent from many public infrastructure plans in Bhubaneswar, leaving communities at the mercy of each monsoon season.
Despite mounting public outrage, the civic administration has so far limited its response to verbal assurances. While the city mayor has acknowledged the issue and promised to address concerns, no concrete mitigation plans have been announced. Meanwhile, every passing rain continues to erode public trust and city infrastructure alike. The development reflects a broader conflict many Indian cities face—balancing urban expansion and infrastructure upgrades with the natural topography and ecological needs. Bhubaneswar’s case underscores the urgent need for policy shifts towards climate adaptive and people-centric planning, especially in times when cities are grappling with increased rainfall and erratic weather patterns due to climate change.
As the monsoon intensifies, residents are calling for immediate, science-backed interventions to ensure equitable and flood-resistant urban landscapes. While highways must remain functional during storms, it cannot come at the cost of city neighbourhoods turning into floodplains. The city’s roadmap to sustainability must include those living at its margins—geographically and politically. The onus now lies on the authorities to prove that infrastructure development can coexist with environmental responsibility and public well-being. If Bhubaneswar is to truly embody the vision of an equitable and climate-smart city, inclusive planning must replace short-term engineering fixes.
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