Flyover over NH-16 in Hanspal to open in Jan: Gadkari
Bhubaneswar: Union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Friday said the six-lane flyover near Hanspal on NH-16, connecting Bhubaneswar with Cuttack, will be opened for public use by Jan.
Responding to questions raised by Rajya Sabha MPs, Sasmit Patra and Niranjan Bishi, Gadkari, in a written reply, stated that the construction of the flyover got delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and hurdles in removal of houses and structures.
Patra and Sethi had asked why construction was delayed despite an initial completion timeline of two years. Gadkari replied that the contract with the construction agency was terminated in June over non-performance. It was re-awarded to another contractor and the work is expected to be completed by Jan next year.
Completion and opening of the flyover is a long-standing demand of locals as well as commuters, as it will not only contribute to a decrease in travel time between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack but also help reduce accidents, which often take place on the stretch.
Surrounded by a densely populated area and commercial units, the highway portion near Hanspal has been an accident-prone zone for quite a long time with frequent movement of people, for which the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) devised the flyover plan. Construction began in 2020, and it was supposed to be completed in two years, but due to several hurdles, the project got delayed. NHAI in Aug this year partially opened the flyover for commuters.
Top leaders, including Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, visited the site from time to time in the past and made repeated assurances that the flyover would be opened for public at the earliest.
Responding to questions raised by Rajya Sabha MPs, Sasmit Patra and Niranjan Bishi, Gadkari, in a written reply, stated that the construction of the flyover got delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and hurdles in removal of houses and structures.
Patra and Sethi had asked why construction was delayed despite an initial completion timeline of two years. Gadkari replied that the contract with the construction agency was terminated in June over non-performance. It was re-awarded to another contractor and the work is expected to be completed by Jan next year.
Completion and opening of the flyover is a long-standing demand of locals as well as commuters, as it will not only contribute to a decrease in travel time between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack but also help reduce accidents, which often take place on the stretch.
Surrounded by a densely populated area and commercial units, the highway portion near Hanspal has been an accident-prone zone for quite a long time with frequent movement of people, for which the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) devised the flyover plan. Construction began in 2020, and it was supposed to be completed in two years, but due to several hurdles, the project got delayed. NHAI in Aug this year partially opened the flyover for commuters.
Top leaders, including Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, visited the site from time to time in the past and made repeated assurances that the flyover would be opened for public at the earliest.
