Sambalpur, April 1: A subway only for pedestrians, two and three-wheelers will be constructed under the railway track to connect Jagannath colony and Sakhipara in the city.
District collector Balwant Singh said the road and building department had submitted the proposal to the Sambalpur railway division, and they had also agreed to the proposal. The railway division has also taken up the matter with the state government.
Divisional railway manager of Sambalpur railway division A.P. Singh said: "If the state government agrees to provide funds for the subway project, we do not have any problem in constructing the subway under the railway track between Sakhipara and Jagannath colony. We have written to the state government for the same."
Apart from connecting Jagannath Colony and Sakhipara, the subway will also provide an alternative road to the commuters travelling from Aithapali to the main town, Brooks Hill, VSS Marg and the city station.
"Commuters going to Sakhipara now take the Ainthapali-Lakshmi Talkies Road. Once the subway comes into exisatence, they will also be able to use this route to reach Sakhipara," said a resident of Ainthapali, Janardan Barik.
"The Ainthapali-Lakshmi Talkies Road is one of the busiest stretches in the city. Once the subway is constructed, it is expected that the facility will definitely reduce pressure on the particular stretch," said Barik.
"We have to cover four kilometres to reach Ainthapali via VSS Marg, Laxmi Talkies, G.M. College Chhak and Buddharaja. The proposed subway will cut down the distance by two km," said Sibu Pradhan, a resident of Sakhipara.
"Steps should be taken to built the subway at the earliest. Once in place, the people will benefit from it," said Ranjit Mishra, a commuter.