Odisha: Rourkela park project worth over Rs 230,00,0000 faces corruption allegations

A major park project in Rourkela has sparked controversy after missing deadlines and falling into disrepair even before opening. Built under the Smart City mission at Rs 23.59 crore, the park now faces allegations of corruption and poor execution.

Residents alleged that crores of rupees were spent without yielding public benefit. The Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, completed in just 15 months, had earlier faced quality concerns when water seepage was noticed soon after its inauguration. 

Similarly, the Sector-20 park, though planned with extensive facilities including a marriage hall, picnic space, swimming pool, and children’s zone, remains unfinished and in a dilapidated condition before even being opened to the public.

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Local resident Gadadhar Sahu said, "The government constructed this park spending crores, but it never opened to the public. Due to lack of maintenance, it is now in shambles. The administration has assured us it will be ready by the end of this year."

Project Missed Deadline

The park, spread over 40 acres, was started in 2020 with a deadline of December 2024 for completion. Despite the timeframe ending, the project remains incomplete. Unkempt grass, unfinished pathways, stagnant water in ponds, and neglected structures give the appearance of an old, abandoned park rather than a new development. Residents have voiced suspicions that corruption has derailed the project.

Political Reaction And Official Response

Rourkela MLA Durga Charan Tanti said, "From what I observed, I requested the municipality to fix the issues, but the results were unsatisfactory. I strongly believe there has been large-scale corruption in the construction of the park. A high-level investigation may be necessary to uncover the truth."

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"Repair works are ongoing inside the park. We had planned to address the problems earlier, but the monsoon caused delays. The park will soon be ready for the public, likely within a couple of months," assured Rourkela Smart City CEO, Dina Dastagiri.