The three-way railway overbridge at Mancheswar that was opened to the public on Monday. 

The bridge will benefit residents of VSS Nagar, Vani Vihar, Chakeisiani, Mancheswar, Idco Colony, Rangamatia and Mancheswar industrial areas. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik waved the green signal for commuters on Monday. 

The 1,003m-long bridge will open a three-way traffic for people — National Highway 5 to VSS Nagar to Mancheswar Industrial Estate. The public works department spent nearly Rs 41 crore to construct the bridge. 

The state government and the East Coast Railway had sanctioned the bridge in 2008-09 and construction began in 2013. Amid hurdles, including land acquisition and opposition from local residents, the works department took three years to complete the work. 

Sources said there were still a few finishing touches left, including installing streetlights. 

Text by Sandeep Mishra, picture by Ashwinee Pati