A motorcyclist negotiates potholes at Bidanasi in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Dec. 27: Residents of the city can now hope for better roads as the municipal corporation has decided to hand over a major stretch at Bidanasi to the public works department for maintenance.

As a result, work for the development of the two-kilometre main road at Bidanasi connecting Sovaniya High School and Mahanadi embankment near Ring Road will be taken up shortly.

Sources said that due to paucity of funds, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation could not carry out the repair of the road, which had been reeling from neglect for the past five years.

The road remains to be one of the busiest, as several commuters depend on it. The road acts as a connecting link between Bidanasi and CDA, the satellite township, developed by the Cuttack Development Authority.

“As a huge amount was required for the development of the road, the corporation has decided to hand it over to roads and buildings division of the public works department,” said councillor of ward No. 1 Nirupama Hati.

The councillor said condition of other roads, apart from the Bidanasi stretch, was also in a bad shape. Moreover, the corporation will shortly take up minor repair of other internal roads at various localities under the ward.

An official of the works department, on the other hand, said work for the development of Bidanasi main road would begin in a couple of days.

“The state government has ordered for the development of the road at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore,” said executive engineer of the works department Pramod Nayak.

Nayak also said work for the development of the two-kilometre stretch of road was likely to begin shortly after few electric poles were relocated.

Besides, the works department has started repairs works for nearly six major roads at CDA. The drive is likely to be over in a couple of months.

A local resident said the condition of all roads at Bidanasi was in a bad condition compared to other roads in other parts of the city. Despite repeated complaints, no step was taken by the corporation officials to carry out repair here.

“Commuters are facing problems as pot holes dot the main road, while the condition of other internal roads is also not satisfactory,” said local resident Dilip Moharana.

Moharana said things were likely to improve, as the works department would now take up development of the stretch.