Vehicles and two-wheelers ply on the newly inaugurated flyover at Nayabazar in Cuttack on Friday. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Feb. 28: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated the Nayabazar flyover after a delay of nearly three years.

The flyover, constructed for nearly Rs 27 crore, will go a long way in easing traffic congestion in the city.

Roads and buildings division of the public works department (PWD) has executed the 728-metre long flyover, the foundation stone for which was laid in 2009.

Though the project was scheduled to be over by 2011, it got delayed due to various problems, including roadside encroachments, environmental clearances and delay in relocation of electric poles. The delay had sparked off resentment among various quarters and the issue was brought to the notice of the House committee in January last year.

“The two-lane flyover has been established to facilitate vehicular traffic. It provides a direct link from one side of the Mahanadi to the Kathajodi river — which will ease congestion on the national highway as well,” said the division’s executive engineer Pramod Nayak.

Nayabazar junction is one of the busiest roads and the converging point for vehicular traffic from OMP, Press Chhak, Jobra, Jagatsinghpur and Paradip road.

The project will ease the difficulties faced by commuters due to congestion at Nayabazar. Besides, a direct link has been established between Potapokhari and Gosala road with the construction of the flyover.

“There was complete chaos at the Nayabazar junction as the city’s traffic and that of the national highway on the Cuttack-Paradip road was converging at one point. The junction has been witnessing road mishaps,” said local resident Dilip Swain.

A commuter from Mahanadi Vihar, Potapokhari, Gandhipalli and nearby areas can now directly move towards Press Chhak and Bhubaneswar using the flyover.

Similarly, people from the Bhubaneswar-side, instead of being stuck in traffic congestion at Nayabazar crossing, can now directly move towards Mahanadi Vihar using the bridge.

“As there is a rush owing to demolition of the Taladanda bridge, commuters, heading for Jagatpur, OMP, Mahanadi Vihar, can also use the new flyover to avoid the rush at Madhupatna,” said a commuter, Kailash Das.

Inaugurating the flyover, Naveen came down heavily on the Union government for neglecting the state. “Be it the issue of railways or mines’ royalty, the Centre always neglects Odisha. Though we have been demanding for a special category status for our state, the Centre has recently accorded the status to Seemandhra,” said Naveen.

He said his party had launched the swabhiyan abhiyan and the people of the state will give a befitting reply to the Centre for its step-motherly treatment.