Sambalpur, Nov. 27: The road and buildings department has taken the initiative to widen the road from Fatak flyover to Ainthapali. The process has begun with construction of drains along the road.

Although the construction of the 2.06km road begun in 2003, it is yet to be complete even after nine years because of encroachment on both sides.

Sub-divisional officer of the roads and buildings department, Sambalpur, P.K. Nath said: “The encroachment along the road will be evicted. The revenue officials have been asked to demarcate the road after which the encroachment will be removed. However, we have already started constructing the drain. Five big trees along the road will be removed to facilitate the widening work.”

“We had written several times to the Western Electricity Supply Company of Odisha Limited to remove the electric poles along the road to facilitate its widening. But they did not take the initiative to remove them. However, we have now written to general electric department to remove the poles,” said Nath.

Nath said that funds had been sanctioned for widening of the road and construction of drain along it.

“This is an important road of the city. One can find electric and telephone poles, transformers, tube wells and dumpyards here. At last, the department has taken the initiative to complete the work. This will help reduce traffic congestion,” said commuter Bhawani Mishra.

“Though there was no dearth of funds, the encroachment had become the only barrier for timely completion of the road.It is a welcome initiative of the road and building department,” said Yagyan Narayana Pradhan, a local resident.