Bhubaneswar, July 4: The traffic movement from the city to Puri would have been smoother during rath yatra had the diversion of the NH-203 between Pandra and Daya bridge been ready.

From October, when the stretch is expected to be complete, the 11.7-km diversion will become a vital link for pilgrims to Puri.

The bypass will also shorten the distance between Pandra and Daya river bridge by nearly 4km.

The entire 67.25km diversion of the NH-203 from Bhubaneswar to Puri is aimed to ease traffic flow during celebration of Nabakalebara (change of idols of the Trinity) scheduled in 2015. A congregation of 12 lakh pilgrims in Puri is expected during the festival.

“The National Highways Authority of India is executing the work in a much faster way. But, had the diversion near the city been completed, it would have been a better access to Puri via Pandra while coming from Cuttack,” said Manoj Kumar Sahoo, who is a regular on Cuttack-Bhubaneswar route.

Sources in the highways authority said road construction was going on in full swing and the stretch on the city outskirts was likely to be over after rains.

“We need at least a fortnight of fair weather to finish the job inside the city. But, with low-pressure formations and early onset of monsoon, we are facing a great difficulty to complete the task. Hence, we are hopeful that by October we will be able to finish the stretch,” said a senior official.

The construction of the diversion has changed fortune of the areas of Pandra, Kesura, Basuaghai, Sai Temple, Samntarapur, Lingipur and many parts of Old Town. It will provide better and faster connectivity to these areas and the land prices will go up manifold once the road is commissioned.

Manager (technical) Sanjay Channa of the highways authority said: “The work on 67.25km is progressing well after an initial delay as it happens with all civil works. But, we are sure that the road will be ready by next year rath yatra. So, the ultimate target of having a better road network before Nabakalebara will be fulfilled.”

City-based doctor Arijit Mohapatra said: “The old road leading to Puri from Bhubaneswar was dotted with many beautiful trees and they were lost in the diversion process. The loss of trees should be compensated.”

Many central government agencies have decided that once the diversion work is over, there will be massive plantation along the road from the temple city to the holy city to compensate the loss of the greenery.