Road caves in as pipeline bursts in Cuttack again; BJP, Congress target Mayor alleging substandard work, corruption

A large portion of a road caved in following a pipeline burst in Nuapada chhak in Cuttack on Saturday. It is alleged that such a situation has cropped up allegedly due to the ongoing JICA project and corruption. Following the pipeline burst, road communication between Nuapada and Khannagar was disrupted on the major road.

BJP leader Sritam Das, who visited the spot after the incident, said, “It is an unfortunate incident. All works, be it roads or buildings under the previous government, are of substandard quality. Earlier, a portion of the road had caved in at Choudhry Bazaar area.”

Das alleged that there has been corruption in the execution of ongoing projects in Cuttack.

“The concerned officials should conduct a spot meeting and take immediate action. A couple recently got injured in a similar mishap. Mayor should resign over similar incidents happening in the city,” the saffron party leader demanded.

Congress Corporator Santosh Bhola said, “Be it JICA or WATCO, the agencies are not working properly. We had held several discussions with concerned officials, but they are also not listening. It is an unfortunate incident.”

Bhola said whatever the Mayor is saying, it is just limited to pen and paper only. Nothing is changing at the ground level, he said, adding that, they would soon move Vigilance over corruption in the execution of projects.

Responding to the allegations, Mayor Subhash Singh said, “JICA is undertaking a major project in Cuttack. A similar project is also underway by WATCO. A similar incident happened at Choudhry bazaar and Bidanasi area. We have ordered to inspect the chambers of JICA and WATCO.”