Bikers wait at a signal at Lakshmi Talkies Chhak in Sambalpur. The stretch needs a flyover to solve the problem of traffic congestion. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, July 21: Work on the proposed flyover at the busy Laxmi Talkies Chhak in the city hangs in balance as no bidders have evinced interest to execute the project.

Executive engineer of public works department Sanjaya Sahu said that no bidders had responded to the tender. “The department is planning to float a fresh tender for the construction of the flyover,” said Sahu.

The flyover was proposed to be constructed on the road between Ainthapali Chhak and Kacheri Chhak. The proposed flyover would connect Dhutra Para Chhak with Post Office Chhak, passing over and easing off traffic at the busy Laxmi Talkies Chhak. The budget of the proposed 1520-meter-long flyover was estimated to be around Rs 59.95 crore.

The public works department had floated a tender for the construction of the flyover in March this year. However, no bidders responded to the tender.

A Bhubaneswar-based private company was assigned with the responsibility to conduct a survey for the flyover. The survey revealed that the road connecting Ainthapali Chhak with Kacheri Chhak was the busiest. Soil testing for the proposed flyover was conducted in July last year. Its foundation stone was laid on January 29 this year.

The residents of the city had also welcomed the proposal of the flyover.

“Thousands of vehicles pass through this busy intersection every day. The proposed flyover will be a remedy to traffic chaos at the junction,” said Biswajit Pradhan, a local resident.

“At present, motorists have to negotiate with heavy traffic snarls at Laxmi Talkies Chhak. A flyover will ease off vehicular pressure here,” said Kuna Panda, a commuter.