Not only the NH-203 stretch between Rasulgarh and Samantarapur, but also the roads in several other areas of the capital city are in a bad shape with potholes all over them. Both pedestrians and motorists have been complaining about lack of maintenance of these stretches. The Telegraph takes a look at four such points

Ravi Talkies Road

Ravi Talkies Road connecting Sanitarium Square and Tankapani Road is full of potholes because of the delay in execution of work by the public works department (PWD). The road connects places such as Mausimaa Square, Nageswar Tangi, Vivekananda Marg, Old Town, Lingaraj Temple, Puri, Brahmeswar Bagh, Badagada, Sai Temple and Balianta. “With lakhs of commuters using the road daily, its pathetic condition reflects poorly on the PWD,” said local businessman Sanjay Nayak.

A senior PWD engineer said road construction was stalled as the sewerage board had placed its pipes along the road up to Ravi Talkies Square. “Our engineers thought that the sewerage board would lay pipes, but later we understood that the pipes were for another project. By the time the sewerage board removed the pipes, one-and-a-half month had passed and the rainy season was in. Therefore, the road work could not be completed,” he said.

“After the rains, we will complete the work as two third of it is already over,” the engineer said.

Opposite Nalco office

The road leading to a major hotel opposite Nalco’s corporate office at Jayadev Vihar has been lying neglected for several years. The hotel and the adjacent ground are used for holding conventions and conferences that are attended by politicians and corporate honchos.

“The road condition is too bad. It’s an embarrassment! The state administration, including authorities of the tourism department, should take note and urge the departments concerned to take action,” said Debasish Mohapatra, a tourism professional.

PWD officials said the rural works department (RWD) was looking after the road. “It is up to the RWD to check waterlogging on this stretch and keep the road in shape,” they said.

Jharpada Jail

The main road in front of the jail for the state’s “most wanted” is badly maintained. Part of it is in bad shape for laying sewer pipes.

“The road connects the developing areas beyond Jharpada, which has become the hub of construction with new housing projects coming up. Therefore, the civic authorities should keep the road in good shape,” said retired engineer A.R. Mohanty, a local resident.

“Development activities increased after local residents had come to know that the Daya West Canal would be converted into twin roads with a water channel in between. The National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) is also planning to have a diversion of the NH-203 from Pandra which will pass through Jharpada outskirts. As the local situation is changing fast, we should have better roads,” he said.

City engineer T.B.K. Shroff of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation said many roads were affected at Jharpada because of sewer pipe-laying. He said the works would be taken up after the rains.

Jayadev Vihar Square

With an NH flyover going above and a four-lane road below, waterlogging at Jayadev Vihar Square creates a pathetic situation for commuters. While the

PWD officials said the responsibility belonged to the NHAI as the road underneath was a part of the flyover, commuters remain the worst sufferer during the rains.

“During heavy downpour, crossing over the portion becomes difficult. Without a proper foot overbridge, we are facing difficulties while crossing the road. Waterlogging owing to accumulated rainwater on this part adds to the commuters’ woes. The civic authorities should immediately construct a foot overbridge,” said Subhakanta Swain, an engineering student at College of Engineering, Bhubaneswar.

Corporation officials, however, said that during the Local Self Government Day celebrations, a foundation stone was laid for a foot overbridge.

“We are aware of the issue under the flyover. In fact, we have cleaned it on several occasions. The point acts as a confluence getting stormwater from Kalinga Stadium, Jayadev Vihar, Nayapalli puja pandal and Ginger hotel end. We will have a permanent solution soon. The drain, too, often gets choked during the rains,” said NHAI project director Aditya Kumar Ray.

Text: Bibhuti Barik Photos: Ashwinee Pati