Odisha Assembly witnessed a key discussion on the poor condition of Bhubaneswar’s roads, including potholes, waterlogging, and traffic congestion.
Rajnagar MLA Dhruba Charan Sahoo raised the issue, drawing attention to problems faced by commuters.
He highlighted that roads such as Nayapalli-Kalinganagar, Jayadev Vihar-Khandagiri, Rasulgarh-Baranga, and Saheed Nagar suffer from waterlogging during the monsoon, disrupting traffic. Broken stretches and potholes cause difficulties for daily commuters, school buses, and ambulances, while accidents have increased.
Replying to the question, Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan assured that the government prioritised road development under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s leadership. He said Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and the Works Department allocated Rs 150 crore this fiscal year for road repair and development. A pothole-free program is underway across 45 kilometres of major roads. Concrete and asphalt work on Nayapalli-Kalinganagar, Jayadev Vihar, and Sahid Nagar roads will be completed soon.
Harichandan added that the Bhubaneswar Ring Road project will begin within a month. The project aims to ease traffic congestion and connect Baranga, Jatani, and Khordha. Tenders have been floated and the DPR prepared. He also announced QR codes for all roads to ensure transparent monitoring. Drainage systems will be upgraded and potholes filled before the monsoon.
Sahoo welcomed the minister’s response, stressing that timely completion would benefit residents. He urged strict monitoring of quality and deadlines. The discussion drew attention from opposition benches, while citizens now await the implementation of these promises.
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