Kaliapani: Although the authorities including the PWD, said they will start widening the Tamaka-Mangalpur Road soon after the rains the reality is different.
The Tamaka-Mangalpur Road is a busy patch. Heavy vehicles carrying chromites from the mining area of Kaliapani and Sukinda in Jajpur district and from outside the state regularly use this road.
But most of the road, especially the stretch from Faker Gate to Koliapasi Chhak, is in bad shape. Traffic congestion has worsened due to bad condition of the road, and it is a nightmare to travel through it.
The potholes on the road have turned death traps for motorists. Truckers are finding it difficult to navigate the gaping potholes. Ambulances, school buses and students are also finding it difficult to use the road. The condition of the road is now worse than what it was last year.
Sources said in 2016, the CM had laid the foundation of the Tamaka-Mangalpur four lane road during his visit to Nagada in the district.
Tenders were invited for the construction of the road by the PWD. But that was stopped later.
Mine owners are giving crores of rupees to the District Mineral Foundation Fund every year for developing the area. But the PWD is not at all concerned about the condition of the Tamaka-Mangalpur Road.
During the Rathyatra of 2018, the PWD had repaired the road temporarily using stone dust. But the result was zero.
Two-wheeler accidents are frequent as drivers are unable to gauge the depth of potholes when they are filled with muddy water.
Locals said if the PWD had carried out pre-monsoon repair properly the situation would have been much better.
BJP youth wing leader Dillip Kumar Patra said they will stop the transportation of mining products if the PWD does not start construction of the four lane road soon.
When contacted, Sukinda Roads and Building Department Junior Engineer Rabindra Kumar Sahoo could not give a satisfactory answer regarding the problem.
PNN