Potholed Cuttack road turns commuters’ ‘nightmare’ | Bhubaneswar News
Cuttack: A 2.5-km stretch from Khannagar Manimatha chowk to Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT) here has turned into a commuter’s nightmare, with massive potholes and scattered construction materials making the route hazardous.
The stretch, which serves as a crucial link to major institutions including the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (Sishu Bhawan), Orissa high court and the district administration office, has been affected by ongoing construction along the Kathajodi riverbank. The situation has been exacerbated by the absence of proper diversion signs and safety measures.
“It has become a daily struggle to cross the stretch. The potholes are so deep that two-wheeler riders often lose balance,” said Priya Das, a commuter. The situation is particularly concerning near Khannagar Durga Ghar, where construction materials have significantly narrowed the width of the cariageway.
School van driver Ramesh Swain said, “Driving children through the road is a big risk. During rain, the potholes turn into water pits.”
Adding to the hazards, iron pipes have been left abandoned on the road for over a month. “Authorities have turned a blind eye to the serious threat to life,” said Ranjit Sahoo, a Khannagar resident.
When contacted, Bishnu Bhusan, subdivisional officer of Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO), cited delays in material supply and technical problems for the slow progress of work. “We will instruct contractors to clear the debris immediately,” he said.
Executive engineer of works department, Asish Nayak, assured that pothole repairs would begin shortly. “We are coordinating with WATCO to expedite the pipeline work and restore normal traffic,” he stated.
The stretch, which serves as a crucial link to major institutions including the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (Sishu Bhawan), Orissa high court and the district administration office, has been affected by ongoing construction along the Kathajodi riverbank. The situation has been exacerbated by the absence of proper diversion signs and safety measures.
“It has become a daily struggle to cross the stretch. The potholes are so deep that two-wheeler riders often lose balance,” said Priya Das, a commuter. The situation is particularly concerning near Khannagar Durga Ghar, where construction materials have significantly narrowed the width of the cariageway.
School van driver Ramesh Swain said, “Driving children through the road is a big risk. During rain, the potholes turn into water pits.”
Adding to the hazards, iron pipes have been left abandoned on the road for over a month. “Authorities have turned a blind eye to the serious threat to life,” said Ranjit Sahoo, a Khannagar resident.
When contacted, Bishnu Bhusan, subdivisional officer of Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO), cited delays in material supply and technical problems for the slow progress of work. “We will instruct contractors to clear the debris immediately,” he said.
Executive engineer of works department, Asish Nayak, assured that pothole repairs would begin shortly. “We are coordinating with WATCO to expedite the pipeline work and restore normal traffic,” he stated.
