Locals of Narasinghpur in Cuttack district have alleged that the road construction work, involving crores of rupees, carried out by the Works Department is of very inferior quality and demanded that an investigation be done into the matter.
Though the construction work is yet to be completed, a number of places have developed potholes, raising a question mark over the durability of the road, they alleged.
It is informed that the Works Department had sanctioned Rs 1.38 crore for construction and widening of a 1.5-km stretch of the Narasinghpur-Angul main road and construction of a guard wall for which a tender was awarded to contractor Purshottam Behera.
As per the tender, the road work should have been completed by September 2018. While the work has not been completed, works done so far are found to be very weak as many potholes have developed. The locals have also alleged that the guard walls, which are being constructed now, have less cement ratio compared to sand.
Even though the locals have brought the matter to the notice of concerned officials, but no action has been taken against the contractor yet.
Despite repeated attempts, Works Department Engineer Rajkishore Muduli couldn’t be contacted over phone. However, SDO BN Sahu said, “The executing agency has sought more time for completion of the work. If potholes have developed of the road, the agency will repair it.”