Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan parallel road to miss deadline

Bhubaneswar: Commuters travelling on Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan route in Bhubaneswar are likely  to experience heavy rush and traffic congestion for longer period as the much-awaited parallel road on its left side is expected to miss its deadline.

The first phase of road project was expected to be completed by June this year. However, it may be delayed further. It would continue till August, 2021.

This was revealed when the Works Secretary Krishan Kumar reviewed the status of 12 km-long road and held discussions with the departmental officials on Thursday.

Among others, deputy secretary of Works Department, Chief Engineer (Road) and Khordha sub-collector were present at the project site for review.

Source said that it has been decided at the review meeting to open the road in two phases due to encroachment in Salia Sahi, which is considered to be the largest slum in Bhubaneswar.

In first phase, the Xavier Square-Rail Vihar-Utkal Hospital-OHRC-Infocity route would be opened for public. Around 80% of the project has been completed on this route and the construction work from Utkal Hospital to Rail Vihar is in final stage.

Similarly, the road work from Xavier Square to Maitri Vihar has been completed. Only, the construction work from Rail Vihar to Maitri Vihar is underway. The Works Department has directed to complete the remaining road construction work by August 15 this year.

It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra following a review meeting on February 12 had directed the Works Department and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) to complete the ongoing road project by June this year. He had also asked the officials to complete the parallel road on right side of the Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan road from Acharya Vihar to Damana Square via Press Chhak, Railway Stadium and Kelucharan Park on war footing basis.

The new parallel roads are expected to decongest the traffic on Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan Road, which is one of the busiest roads in the State capital.