Smart city's 'unsmart roads' with full of craters, potholes turn commute into nightmare in Bhubaneswar 

Bhubaneswar residents’ joy knew no bound when the State Capital received the Smart City tag in 2015. The city dwellers thought that the capital would undergo a major makeover and offer all modern facilities including the best-in-class motorable roads. 

However, all their hopes were dashed as the residents continue their struggle with the streets full of craters, potholes and puddles. With the onset of monsoon, the condition of the roads has worsened further and emerged as a nightmare for the daily commuters.

Take the example of Panchasakha Nagar. The incomplete sewerage work and craters on the streets create a mirage of place in the interior pocket of the State. The people residing here alleged that the problem is not new. They have been struggling for more than a year due to government apathy. 

Fumed over the sheer negligence, the residents of the Panchasakha Nagar forced an engineer of Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) to wade through the drain water accumulated on the street to realise him their plight.

“The entire machinery is responsible for such situation. There is no coordination,” a local resident alleged.

“I have been living in the area since last three years. The work which was started then is yet to over. We are facing a lot of hardship,” another resident alleged.

Similarly, the road condition in Laxmisagar, Jagannath Vihar areas are no different. The road connecting Laxmisagar chhak to Jharapada is filled with potholes and puddles while the roads in Jagannath Vihar need immediate repair work.

“The road gets damaged even after a brief spell of rain. Substandard work is the main reason behind the road getting ripped off so early,” said a resident of Jagannath Vihar.

“The road is lying in a deplorable condition since the last two years. May it be going to office or dropping children at school, we have to struggle daily for commuting,” a resident of Laxmisagar area alleged.