Convert main road in sub divisional hqrs to four lane: CM tells Works dept

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today directed the Works department to convert the main road in all sub-divisional headquarters to four-lane.

The directive of the chief minister came during a review meeting on the performance of the Works department at the State Secretariat here.

It was revealed that barring Malkangiri, main road in the remaining sub-divisional headquarters in the state has been converted to four-lane.

Besides, taking note of the heavy traffic rush between Raj Bhawan Square to Nandankanan Square in the state capital, Patnaik directed the Works department to take up survey work for an elevated corridor and a parallel alternative road for this route at the earliest.

“Apart from the elevated corridor, the chief minister directed the Works department to make a survey for an alternative road via Infocity, Niladri Vihar and Sailashree Vihar and submit a report, Works secretary Nalinikanta Pradhan told media persons after the meeting.

He also said the chief minister asked the department to expedite construction of Sohela-Ambapani section road and complete construction of Rourkela-Sambalpur section of Biju Expressway by March 2017.

It was revealed in the meeting that the construction of Gurupriya bridge and four medical colleges will be completed by June, 2017. Besides, construction of a bridge over Mahanadi at Nelson Mandela in Sambalpur and another bridge over Ib river in Jharsuguda will be completed by June 2017 while a bridge over Kathjodi river in Cuttack will be completed by February 2017.

Apart from this, construction of 44 wayside amenities at various places beside National Highway is underway, the meeting was informed.

The Works secretary also informed the meeting that the Works department has spent 62 percent of the total budget allocation for 2016-17 fiscal by November this year, while the remaining allocation would be spent by March 2017.

Among others, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary to chief minister and Development Commissioner were present at the meeting.