The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has been blowing hot and cold concerning an underpass construction connecting VSS Nagar with Sahid Nagar in Vani Vihar-Acharya Vihar over bridge.
The VSS Nagar Unnayan Parishad has alleged that the NHAI authorities have been taking various pleas over the delay in construction of the underpass even as it is creating difficulties for residents in VSS Nagar area, besides locals of 10 adjoining Mouzas.
The moot point is nobody is clear about the lifting of water pipes from Kuakhai river to Bhubaneswar. While for the purpose, budgets are made several times, but the work is not executed.
Recently, VSS Nagar Unayan Parishad general secretary and Bhutal Rasta Sangram Samiti convenor Dilip
Dashsharma led a delegation to meet the NHAI Chief Executive Engineer Ram Prasad Panda. But this time Panda took a new plea. He said that the NHAI would not lift the pipelines but the work would be done by the Railways during the three-laning of the Barang-Khurdha railway line. After the pipelines are shifted, the NHAI would start construction of the underpass, told Panda.
Notably, the Vani Vihar-Acharya Vihar over bridge has opened since 5 years but there has been much delay in completing the underpass.
While the Parishad has taken up the matter with the NHAI several times, the latter has been avoiding by taking different pleas.
Among others, Er Siba Prasad Mishra, Maheswar Biswal and Nimai Charan Das were in the delegation.