Construction of a second bridge over the Mahanadi would begin soon. A team of senior officials from Bhubaneswar headed by Works Secretary Suvendu Kumar Ray and Chief Engineer (Roads) Bijan Kumar Behera made a spot visit of the area in the presence of concerned district officials including Sambalpur Collector Balwant Singh on Sunday.
The team visited the entire ring road from the Nelson Mandela Chowk near the court to that of the Durgapali end near laxmi Dunguri on NH 55. They stressed on the need for completion of the total ring road from Dhankauda to laxmi Dunguri including construction of an over-bridge at the Durgapali railway level-crossing to overcome the growing traffic hassle. Widening of the ring road to provide an alternative and ease out traffic problem was also discussed.
It was further discussed that the proposed second bridge over the Mahanadi at Sambalpur would be constructed at the Kacheri Chowk or at Sadak Ghat, informed Executive Engineer Sanjay Kumar Sahu.
Further, discussions were made for construction of a flyover from Dhuturapara to the laxmi Talkies Chowk at Sambalpur town. “But at some points, space constraint would be there,” Sahu informed.
If a second Mahanadi bridge comes up at Sambalpur, there would be vast opportunity for the city to expand in the western direction, fulfilling a longstanding demand. At the same time, the people of Chaunrpur end would also get easy and direct communication to the district headquarters.