Bhubaneswar, Feb. 22: Commuters have reason to cheer as work on the three-way Saheed Nagar railway overbridge has been put on the fast track. Once completed, the bridge will make commuting smooth for those travelling to and from Rasulgarh, Bomikhal and Saheed Nagar.
The project to build the bridge was sanctioned during 2008-09 and the public works department, in collaboration with the East Coast Railway, started building the facility in 2012-13. The plan to extend the stretch towards Bomikhal was taken in 2015.
Though much of the work had been completed on the Rasulgarh and Bomikhal side, it ran into hurdle at Saheed Nagar with shop owners opposing theproject fearing loss to business. However, the administration managed to address their concerns and the issue was resolved.
The project was delayed further at the end of 2014 as it took time for the works department to get approval for demolition of existing government quarters and part of an ESIC dispensary.
"The part on the Rasulgarh side was completed fast, because there were no problems. But, it took time in Saheed Nagar due to opposition from local residents. The plan to stretch the bridge towards Bomikhal had been added later, and more than half of that job is done. Work on the intersection pillar is almost finished, and we will connect it in the next phase," said roads chief engineer O.P. Patel.
An official involved in the job said 80 per cent construction was over in Saheed Nagar, 90 per cent in Rasulgarh and 70 per cent in Bomikhal.
With a target to complete the work by the end of this year, the authorities have put the work on the fast track. To achieve the deadline, at least 40 workers are working round-the-clock. They have finished the job on the main pillar that will connect the three-way intersection shortly, said a field engineer.
"We had regulated a one-way traffic under the bridge for three days to get the work done on the main pillar. Nearly 20 workers had been put on the job, while another 10 are managing the traffic. The work is almost done and at present focus is on the Bomikhal side of the bridge," he said.
Though work on the bridge is going on a war footing, the resultant muddy and dusty roads continue to be a major trouble for commuters. To add to their pain, multiple potholes on the stretch are giving commuters a bumpy ride. A month ago, the authorities had put bitumen on the road, but it was not long before the temporary relief gave way.
"It is evident that construction of the overbridge has picked up pace in the past few months. However, the inconvenience to commuters continues as the authorities have not provided them with an alternative road. We welcome the project, but they should provide alternative roads till the construction gets over," said Bomikhal resident Biraja Mahapatra.
A shopkeeper, Aju, said the condition of the road deteriorated a few months after the work started in 2013 and nothing has changed since then.
"Minor accidents have become a routine affair here. We have witnessed many such incidents in the past three years. The road becomes dusty during summer and winter and goes under water when it rains. I don't know when the situation will get normal," said the shop owner at Bomikhal.