Former Tripura Chief Secretary Dr SK Panda Calls for Decentralized Civic Governance to Tackle Urban Waterlogging

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, June 21, 2026

Former Tripura Chief Secretary and retired IAS officer Dr Sanjay Kumar Panda has expressed concern over the recurring problem of waterlogging in parts of Cuttack city following recent heavy rainfall, while offering a series of practical suggestions to improve urban civic management and ensure greater accountability in municipal governance.

Dr. Panda, who currently resides in Cuttack’s Sidheshwar Sahi area under Ward No. 10 of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, shared his views in a communication addressed to the young MLA of Barabati-Cuttack after several localities experienced inundation and waterlogging due to rains. Ironically, the veteran administrator is now witnessing in his own neighbourhood a civic challenge similar to the flood and waterlogging issues that repeatedly affected Agartala during his tenure in Tripura.

In his Facebook message to the legislator, Dr. Panda appreciated her proactive efforts in raising the issue and attempting to fix responsibility on civic authorities for what he described as a casual approach towards clearing debris and maintaining drainage systems. He praised her sensitivity as a young and educated public representative while urging her to move beyond symbolic actions and pursue long-term institutional reforms.

Drawing upon his decades of administrative experience, Dr. Panda emphasized that the root cause of many urban civic problems lies in excessive centralization of authority. According to him, the solution lies in decentralization and strengthening ward-level governance mechanisms.

Among the key measures suggested by the former Tripura Chief Secretary are the establishment of ward-level municipal offices in every ward, where inspection staff and tax collectors would remain accessible to citizens during fixed hours on all working days. He also recommended the formation of ward-level committees comprising elected councillors and respected local residents to monitor civic issues and facilitate quicker problem-solving.

Recognizing the growing role of technology in governance, Dr. Panda further proposed the development of a dedicated mobile application through which citizens, particularly the younger generation, could upload photographs of civic problems and register grievances directly with municipal authorities.

Describing his recommendations as practical solutions based on experience, common sense and public concern rather than complex theories, Dr. Panda stressed that successful implementation would require sincerity, commitment and perseverance from public representatives and government officials alike.

The former Tripura Chief Secretary also conveyed his optimism regarding the MLA’s leadership and ability to bring meaningful change. In a positive development, the legislator responded promptly to his suggestions, stating that she accepted the recommendations positively and would consider them seriously.

Dr. Panda later shared both his suggestions and the MLA’s response in his social media platforms with the public, emphasizing that citizen awareness, participation and accountability are essential for resolving persistent urban challenges in a democratic system.

His intervention has drawn attention not only because of his distinguished administrative background but also because it highlights a broader lesson for rapidly growing cities across India. Experts believe that strengthening local governance structures, improving drainage maintenance, adopting digital grievance systems and ensuring greater community participation could significantly reduce the impact of urban flooding and waterlogging.

The episode serves as a reminder that while urban flooding remains a challenge in many Indian cities, constructive engagement between experienced administrators, elected representatives and citizens can pave the way for sustainable and effective solutions. Dr. Panda’s recommendations have been widely viewed as a positive contribution to the ongoing discussion on improving urban governance and civic service delivery in Tripura, Cuttack and beyond.

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