Minister of Works, Prafulla Mallick on Friday inaugurated the much awaited flyover connecting Dhuchrapada near GM University with the Nelson Mandela Chowk in the heart of the city.
Leader of Opposition and Sambalpur MLA, Jayanarayan Mishra, Sambalpur MP Nitesh Ganga Deb, besides RDC, ND, Suresh Chandra Dalai, Rengali MLA Nauri Naik and other district level officials were present in the inaugural function.
The flyover project was much uder criticism since it took almost seven years to be completed causing much inconvenience to the public.
The work for the 1,880 metres long flyover began at an estimated cost of Rs 119.4 crore in February, 2016. Initially, it was proposed to construct a 1,540 metres long flyover from Dhuchurapada to to Head Post Office through Laxmi Talkies Chowk. But the design was changed later and the length of the flyover was increased to 1880 meters.
"I am hopeful that the traffic problem of Sambalpur city will be solved after the inauguration of this much needed flyover," said Minister Mallick. The work on the service road and drain will be completed soon, he added.
The route on which the flyover has been constructed is one of the busiest roads of the city. Many posh localities and business establishments are located along the route. Heavy traffic snarls at Laxmi Talkies Chowk area of the city is a regular phenomenon on this route throughout the day. However, with the inauguration of the flyover, the problem could be solved to a large extent, said sources.