Sambalpur: The road over bridge (ROB) at the Durgapali level crossing here is yet to be completed, even though more than three years have passed since work on the project began. The Durgapali road connects the ring road with the National Highway-53 at Laxmi Dungri area of the town. Official sources said the length of the planned ROB at the Durgpali level crossing will be 947 metre and the width will be 12.5 metre. The project is being implemented by both the Railways and the state Public Works Department (PWD). The estimated cost of the project is Rs 32.84 crore. While the Railways have sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 14.22 crore, the state government has allocated funds to the tune of Rs 18.62 crore for the project. Work on the project commenced in 2019 and a target was set to complete the ROB in two years. The Railways undertook construction work on the land belonging to them and the PWD was assigned to work on the approach roads on either side. The PWD entrusted Odisha Construction Corporation (OCC) to carry out the work.
However, while the Railways have almost completed their part, work on the approach road by the OCC is still underway. PWD superintending engineer Ashok Lenka said the work is going on at full pace now. A target has been set to complete work on the project by the end of October this year, he said. Hundreds of people depend on the ring road to visit Sambalpur town. Similarly, several people of Sambalpur also depend on this road to go to Burla and Hirakud.
However, the commuters often face problems because of the railway level crossing at Durgapali, which is the entry point to Sambalpur from NH-53 at Laxmi Dungri. Because of the frequent movement of trains, the manned railway level crossing is closed at regular intervals. Each time a train passes, the gate closes for at least 15 minutes, obstructing the flow of traffic on the road and causing severe traffic congestion. However, the problem will be resolved after the ROB at the level crossing at Durgapali becomes functional.