Odisha government prioritises road repairs for a smooth Durga Puja and Dussehra experience

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to provide a hassle-free commuting experience to people during Durga Puja and Dussehra, the state govt has shifted its focus to concentrating on the repair and maintenance of roads in several urban centres, including Bhubaneswar.Public works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan chaired a review meeting on Saturday aimed at addressing road and transportation issues in major cities, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur.Discussions focused on providing a hassle-free festive experience to the people by prioritising road repairs. Harichandan emphasised the moral responsibility of the govt to ensure well-maintained roads. “It is our duty to promptly repair these roads to provide a pleasant experience for the public,” he said.Harichandan highlighted the role of newly-recruited officers and engineers in utilising their expertise to construct durable and sustainable roads.“We have recently recruited many talented officials. Their ideas will be crucial,” he said. Ahead of Durga Puja, engineers were tasked with clearing all major roads of potholes by Sept 20. Also, roads in poor condition are expected to be completely repaired starting Oct 2.A significant development was the announcement of a policy regarding road maintenance and repairs. Engineers were instructed to conduct on-ground assessment and report road conditions in two days.PWD secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh highlighted a recurring issue where various agencies dig up roads without permission for utility installations, leading to deterioration of several stretches. “Due to a lack of coordination among officials from the BMC, IDCO, OPTCL and Watco, roads and drains are getting damaged,” Singh said.Residents have expressed frustration over the deteriorating road conditions, exacerbated by recent rain. “It not only increases the chances of accidents but also contributes to deteriorating air pollution. Govt should take responsibility and repair the roads on priority,” said Acharya Vihar resident Bhagwan Sarangi.