Bhubaneswar: When the nation's focus is on curbing accidents, the administration here is doing just the opposite - exposing commuters to the risk of road mishaps.

Bidyut Marg, where underground cable laying work is nearing completion, is one such huge trap for commuters.

The pits dug up for laying cables have not been filled up properly, leaving unwary commuters to the risk of meeting with accidents.

The risk increases as barricades put up along the trenches have gone missing at several places.

"It can be seen that the pits have not been filled up properly. Contractors have used sand to fill up the pits. It could lead to a major accident if a vehicle slips into it. The removal of barricades has added to the risk," said Gourishankar Parida, a commuter.

The project has also hampered road repair work on the stretch. The public works department had begun the repair job in May but left it half finished because of the underground cable-laying project.

At present, one half of the road is damaged, while the other half is in good condition.

"It is very irresponsible of the authorities to leave work half finished. The project has been taken up on stretches, where there is heavy traffic. This inconveniences commuters all the more. The authorities should adopt better safety measures," said Sritam Jena, a resident of Shastri Nagar.

Though not similar, the condition of Madhusudan Marg between Ram Mandir Square and Housing Board Square on the Janpath is no better. Both sides of the roads have been dug up to lay underground electric cables.

The risk of travelling on such roads became evident in January when a school bus careened precariously after a portion of the stretch at Power House Square on Bidyut Marg had caved in. The reason for the mishap was attributed to the careless underground cable work.

A similar incident had happened in Bhimtangi in July last year when a lorry fell into a pit.

"We have taken adequate safety measures at our worksites on Janpath and Madhusudan Marg. The work on Bidyut Marg is almost complete. Work is going on at a fast pace as the project has to end by September. Dug up stretches on Bidyut Marg will be filled in within a fortnight," said a senior official of Central Electricity Supply Utility.