Bhubaneswar: Incessant rain in the city over the past few days has affected the underground cable laying work in different areas. While the enforced delay has multiplied people's problems, it also means extra burden for the administration.
At present, the Central Electricity Supply Utility (Cesu) of Odisha and the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited have taken up underground cable laying on two important stretches - Bidyut Marg connecting Raj Bhavan and Jayadev Vihar, and Janpath that connects Vani Vihar Square and Sishu Bhavan Square.
The authorities dug up both sides of the road to lay the high-tension wires and also barricaded the worksite to ensure safety of passers-by. But the trenches are now filled with rainwater and mud. The rain has also weakened the barricades, posing a threat to commuters.
The situation is worse near Power House Square on Bidyut Marg since the work on the junction stranding vehicles and choking traffic as a result. "The barricades have been put up in such a manner that it has narrowed the junction. Vehicles have to queue up for a long time before being able to move," said Suryamani Jena, a commuter.
In January, a school bus had careened precariously after a portion of the road at Power House Square caved in as a result of careless work in laying the cables. A similar incident was reported from Bhimtangi last July when a lorry had fallen into a trench.
At Janpath, the trenched have narrowed the paths of pedestrian movement as they struggle to reach the vendors along the stretch. "They have not provided enough passages for customers and we are facing major losses," said Sitaram, a fruit seller at Kharavela Nagar.
The work has also become a headache for the administration with the rain causing repeated stoppages. "We have to dig the pits twice since the mud is finding its way back into the trenches," said a labourer working at the Bidyut Marg site.
The administration has fast-tracked the work on these two stretches following a government direction to complete the work before commencement of the Men's Hockey World Cup here in November.
"Although we have expedited the work, we are taking adequate precautions at the worksites. The rain have hampered the work, but we have asked our contractors to work at night only to avoid any untoward events. The project on these two stretches will be completed on time," said a senior Cesu official.
