Berhampur Residents Suffer As Construction Of Flyovers Run Behind Schedule

Berhampur: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid foundation stone for construction of three flyovers in Berhampur in 2013, but six years on, inordinate delay in completion, land acquisition issues and improper plan in two out of the three projects continues to hit the residents of the Silk City Berhampur.

Even as Gopalpur flyover has begun functioning, the deadline for completion of the projects at Haladiapadar and Ankuli has missed almost a year which has raised concerns among the public.

Sources said, land acquisition issues have stalled the work in Ankuli flyover project and the delay in completion has led to acute waterlogging and drainage problems. Amid this, neither the PWD department nor the district administration is able to confirm the exact date of completion of the project.

Dukhishyam Sahu, a resident of Ankuli said that the government should have taken suggestions from the public before moving ahead with the project plan worth crores of rupees.

“Due to land dispute and other issues, the project is yet to see the light of the day. Due to improper planning, the area is also witnessing chronic waterlogging making locals to suffer. We apprised the matter to the Sub Collector but there has been no development yet,” he said.

Similarly, residents have also raised questions over improper planning in case of Haladiapadar flyover. It has also been alleged that despite presence of authorized land on both sides of the flyover in the possession of PWD, the government is yet to construct approach road to the flyover due to which thousands of residents of areas including Shakti Nagar, Sadananda Vihar, Bendalia are suffering.

Jaya Sahu, a resident of Gosani Nugaon said, “Absence of approach roads on both sides of the flyover is also causing accidents more often as locals are forced to cross the highway by taking the wrong side.”

On the other hand, Tapan Kumar Panigrahy, Executive Engineer of BeMC said, “Until we acquire land, how can we move ahead with the project. We have no other issues, in fact all other works of the project like service road, state plan and tender works are running on schedule. We have sent the DPR and tender is likely to be completed by this month.”

Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange has also assured that steps will be taken to complete the construction work of the flyovers as soon as possible.