Bhubaneswar, May 18: Bomikhal resident Gayadhar Swain thinks that it would have been better had authorities not taken up the railway overbridge project at Saheed Nagar.

Sanctioned in 2008-09, the works department, in collaboration with the East Coast Railway, began the project to build the overbridge in 2012 on the busy stretch through which nearly 100 trains pass every day.

The project was supposed to be over in two years, but is still hanging fire.

The overbridge, which was planned to ease traffic congestion and ensure a safe passage once done, has, however, spelt doom for commuters due to the work's slow pace. Moreover, at some places, the partially done bridge has emerged as a safe haven for criminals.

"While the partially done bridge on the Rasulgarh side has already created chaos, work on the Cuttack-Puri road end has further added to the woes of the people," said Swain.

Work on the Cuttack-Puri road end of the bridge began in mid-April and immediately triggered chaos in the area with traffic going haywire and dust swirling all around.

Other local residents and commuters also echo Swain.

"The bridge construction is causing a lot of problems for local people. It has become a source of trouble," said Krishna Mohanty, a nearby fast-food shop owner.

Due to the construction, the road is getting narrow and covered with dust. Notably, all three parts of the bridge - Saheed Nagar side, Bomikhal-Rasulgarh side and the Bomikhal-Lakshmisagar (Cuttack-Puri road) end - are packed with problems.

The work on the Bomikhal-Rasulgarh side was left half finished with the space under it turning into the den of criminal activities. It is also being used for unauthorised parking and a dump yard for construction waste.

Moreover, the part on the Saheed Nagar side between Bomikhal Square and Maharishi College of Natural Law is filled with potholes creating inconvenience for commuters. Though the entry of four-wheelers and three-wheelers is not permitted on this stretch, no one seems to obey the restriction.

Apart from mismanagement, delay in finishing the project, too, has taken its toll on the people.

Railway officials say they have completed their part of the project. They said construction of the main structure over the rail tracks had been over well before time. Now, it is for the works department to build the connecting roads.

Works department chief engineer (roads) O.P. Patel said that due to delay in acquiring land, the project got delayed by several years.

"We have already completed the work on the Rasulgarh side, the work on the Saheed Nagar end will also get over shortly. Now, we are concentrating on the major portion on the Cuttack-Puri road. Our officials are working day and night, and the project will be over in a month," said Patel.