From IT hub to hazard, Bhubaneswar’s Infocity Road turns hazardous

Infocity, the bustling IT hub of Bhubaneswar, is fast becoming a nightmare for commuters and residents alike. Roads in the area, once smooth and well-maintained, have now turned into craters following unscientific excavation for pipeline laying. The situation has been worsened by the onset of monsoon rains, exposing the fragile groundwork and posing serious safety hazards.

According to locals, a contractor agency had undertaken underground pipeline installation in the Infocity region. However, after digging up the roads, the agency left without properly refilling and compacting the soil on the road. As a result, the surface became loose and uneven. With continuous rainfall over the past few days, the already fragile roads began to cave in under pressure.

On Wednesday, a major incident brought the issue into sharp focus. A heavy hyva carrying chips sank into a section of the weakened road, causing massive traffic disruption for several hours. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the incident raised alarm bells for those who travel this stretch daily.

Residents and daily commuters have slammed the authorities for turning a blind eye to the deteriorating condition of the roads. Many are now demanding immediate repair, penal action against the contractor, and stricter monitoring to ensure public safety is not compromised in future development work.