Potholes at Bidanasi in Cuttack is causing traffic congestion. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Sept. 4: Bidanasi Road that was repaired last year is back to its previous self, dotted with potholes, thanks to the sub-standard work carried out by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation.

Now, the road awaits further renovation, but the tender process is not over yet.

Councillor of ward No. 1 Nirupama Hati admitted that there had been delay in execution of road-repair works in the locality.

“An estimate of Rs 70 lakh has been prepared for construction and repair of roads at Bidanasi. However, it has not been carried out since long. We hope that things will improve in a couple of months after the tender process is completed,” said Nirupama.

The councillor said funds crunch, too, had led to delay in carrying out various development projects.

The stretch of main road at Bidanasi, Baula Chhak, Mangala Chhak and Nua Sahi is in bad shape with craters posing threat to the lives and limbs of the commuters.

“Authorities are yet to wake up and initiate measures to repair the road, resulting in a rise in accidents on the road that connects CDA with Bidanasi,” said Saurabh Swain, a commuter.

Swain said commuters resorted to dodge the craters on the road, often leading to minor mishaps.

Local residents said that for over past one-and-a-half years, no major repair work had been undertaken at Bidanasi that falls under ward No. 1. “Minor repair works were undertaken during Dussehra last year. But again, condition of the stretch has deteriorated,” said Gopal Mishra, 55, a local resident.

Another resident said they were yet to get access to basic civic amenities, including proper roads, drinking water and electricity. Moreover, there are no adequate sanitation measures, including better drainage and sewer systems, in the area.

Last year, the residents had staged a roadblock, protesting against the delay in carrying out road-repair works at Baula Chhak. “The road repair could not be taken up for long because of the culvert work. We were forced to stage the demonstration for the inordinate delay in execution of both the projects,” said Ravindra Dakua, another local resident.

Dakua said the minor repairs, undertaken last year, too, were not satisfactory as road condition had deteriorated within eight months.