The broken barricade on the Satyanagar flyover. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 13: The Public Works Department (PWD) has started work on four new flyovers across the city, but a broken barricade on the Satyanagar overbridge has raised serious issues about pedestrian safety.

If one is taking a walk on the Satyanagar flyover from the Big Bazar end towards Cuttack Road, then just after the second left turn on the overbridge one needs to move cautiously. A 10 feet long piece of the barricade is missing. The PWD authorities have put up bamboo poles to ward off any mishap.

The point where the temporary bamboo poles have been put as a support lies more than 50 feet above the Cuttack Road.

Abhisek Rout, a post-graduate student of Institute of Media Studies, who takes the route to his institute from home, said: “The PWD authorities should have replaced the structure with a fresh concrete barricade as the walkers are facing a difficult time while passing through the point.’’ Rout said that the makeshift bamboo barricade was erected last week as a temporary measure.

“The PWD engineers can afford to delay road repair work, but should not treat a broken barricade on the flyover with such disdain. They are putting people who cross the flyover at great risk,” said Rout.

Activist Rumi Kundu, who stays at a colony on Cuttack Road, said: “The missing barricade should be repaired immediately as students also take the footpath on the flyover.”

PWD executive engineer Haladhar Pradhan said: “We are aware of the problem and are going to repair the barricade on the Satyanagar flyover as soon as possible.’’

“Incessant rain has continued till the second week of October and this has damaged the concrete structure. Once the rainfall gets over, all repair works will be carried out,” informed a senior PWD engineer.

Similarly near Mausimaa Temple Square, the flyover leading towards Sishu Bhawan Square is lying with broken barricading poles just near the wall of the temple.

“Pedestrians walking on the footpath are in a danger zone here and the barricading poles near the temple compound will have to be erected again,’’ said Ramesh Das, a a retired employee staying at Nageswar Tangi.

PWD assistant engineer Sisir Mishra said: “The work on one side of the flyover has already started and the damaged barricades and poles will be taken care of very soon.’’