Sewer work in progress on a Cuttack road. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, July 23: The construction being undertaken under the integrated Japan International Co-operation Agency sanitation project has become a cause of concern for residents.

Keeping in view the inconvenience due to obstruction of roads, agency officials have been instructed not to undertake construction in large patches.

“Instead of carrying out the construction, the agency officials have been asked to carry out work in small patches in 50 metres to avoid inconvenience to the people,” said Cuttack collector Girish S.N.

Official sources said the decision was likely to provide respite to the residents and commuters especially during Dussehra that draws lakhs of devotees to the city.

Besides, the officials have also been asked to set up a toll-free number to address various grievances and other problems faced by people due to the construction job.

At present, the work at several localities has created problems as roads have been dug up at several places for lying of pipelines under the proposed project of setting up of an underground sewerage network system.

Residents allege that for months together, the roads are not being repaired at points, where the construction, including setting up of micro tunnels and shafts, has been over.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for the project in October 2012.

The project envisages upgrade of the existing drainage channels and creation of gravity sewers, along with pump stations and sewage treatment plants.

The project also aims to resolve waterlogging in the city.

“It is nearly two months that the entire stretch of the main road at Mangalabag has been blocked on one side, creating problems for the commuters, especially the patients coming to SCB Medical College and Hospital,” said local resident Dwibendu Mishra.

Mishra said sand was being used to fill up the gaps on roads after the construction.

The issue of delay in road repair was also discussed with the officials at a review meeting held yesterday.

The district collector, Cuttack-Choudwar MLA Pravat Biswal, Cuttack Municipal Corporation commissioner Gyana Das, mayor Anita Behera and the agency officials attended the meeting.

“Keeping in view the severe inconvenience, the agency officials have been directed to take immediate measures to repair the roads where the construction has already been over,” said works committee chairman of the civic body Chiranjay Sahu.