Puri: Locals have expressed displeasure over the authorities’ failure to construct an overbridge at Siddha Mahaveer level crossing on Puri-Konark national highway (NH) here.
They have alleged that the state government and the railway authorities have turned a blind eye to the inconveniences of commuters and locals.
According to the locals, the railway authorities usually shut the level crossing gates once in every fifteen minutes to facilitate rail traffic. As a result, commuters and locals are being forced to wait a long time at the level crossing.
“Many tourists usually depend upon the NH to visit the Konark Sun Temple. Tourists are facing trouble in the absence of an overbridge at the level crossing. Even ambulances and vehicles carrying patients are being forced to wait for more than 15 minutes,” said a local.
The locals claimed that they have raised the overbridge issue with the Centre and the state government several times but to no avail.
“The district administration had promised to take up the overbridge project a couple of months ago. Local legislator Maheswar Mohanty had claimed that the administration has prepared an estimate for the project and the construction work would start within a few days. However, the administration is yet to begin the construction work,” said Jana Jagaran Manch convener Jyoti Ranjan Nayak.
Jana Jagaran Manch, a social outfit, had launched a signature campaign in support of the overbridge project. The outfit had sent a memorandum containing 70,000 signatures to the Centre and pleaded for quick implementation of the project.
“Local youths have approached the district administration several times to plead for the overbridge project. All these pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” said youth leaders Amarendra Paikray and Swadhin Panda.
Notably, the Siddha Mahaveer overbridge was a major issue in the recently completed General and Assembly elections in Puri.