Bhubaneswar: Slow pace of work on the upcoming overbridge in Bomikhal has inconvenienced residents as they negotiate heavy traffic and bumpy stretches due to the absence of alternative roads site of construction.

The problem is worst for residents near the Bomikhal and Saheed Nagar side of the bridge as the work has reached its final stages. Though work at the Saheed Nagar end is over, people will be forced to wait at the level crossing till the bridge becomes accessible.

The frequent change in traffic plan also continues to confuse people commuting on the stretch.

"It creates immense confusion since they block the roads often for work. A newcomer to the city will definitely fall into the trap and chances of accidents increase," said Nirakar Jena, a garage owner near the bridge.

As the construction goes on, commuters on the stretch are forced to violate traffic rules leading to congestion in the area.

People are risking their lives and commuting right under the bridge to get to the other side of the road. In September 10 last year, a slab of the bridge collapsed and killed one person.

"We are forced to risk our lives due to non-completion of the bridge. The man who died in September was passing under the bridge when the slab fell. We are doing it every day and it cannot be denied that we might face a similar fate. Authorities should complete this bridge as soon as possible," said Chinmay Sahoo, a resident of Bomikhal.

The pace of the work on the bridge has further delayed its opening, which has missed its June deadline.

"We don't want haste in our work. The project is in its final stage. Work on the Rasulgarh and Saheed Nagar sides of the bridge has ended," said works department chief engineer (roads) O.P. Patel.

At present, the authorities are taking up the work on the bridge near the Bomikhal side, where a retaining wall fell and killed a labourer on May 3.

Work is on to constructing bridge slope that will merge with the road.

Once completed, the overbridge will open a three-way route connecting people from Rasulgarh to Saheed Nagar and Bomikhal. The bridge will play a crucial role as it is coming up on the busy Puri-Cuttack state highway. People will save time as the bridge will fly over the Saheed Nagar level crossing.