Sambalpur: 3-Month Jail Square to Dhanupali Road Project Stretches to 3 Years, Only 30% Completed, Locals Concerned
Land Acquisition Delays Work Progress
Sambalpur: The Public Works Department (PWD) in Sambalpur has been working on a road project from Jail Square to Dhanupali for the past three years. Despite being a project that was supposed to be completed in just three months, only 30% of the work has been done so far. The construction of roads, beautification, drainage, and streetlights remains uncertain, as land acquisition is still incomplete. Without this acquisition, the work cannot progress.
A Project That Started in 2015
The plan to widen the road from Jail Square to Dhanupali was made with Sambalpur’s growing population in mind. The work began in 2015 with the construction of a 75-meter-long second bridge over the Haradjor in Govindtola, which was completed in 2017. The bridge, costing around ₹6.5 crore, is still disconnected due to an incomplete connecting road.
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Funds Approved but Not Enough
For the past five years, land acquisition has been the major hurdle in completing the project. Despite two rounds of tenders, the work for the four-lane road started only in November 2022. However, a lack of complete land acquisition has stalled the progress. Although some funds have been approved, they have been fully utilized, and additional approval is needed before work can resume.
Residents Concerned About Safety
Due to the unfinished work, the road remains a safety hazard for commuters. The incomplete construction has caused major inconvenience, and locals are worried about the risk posed by the partially built road. From Four C Ground to Charbati, land acquisition is still pending, leaving people uncertain about when the roadwork will continue.
PWD Awaits State Government Approval
A senior PWD official stated that the department is currently awaiting approval of funds from the state government. Instead of going through the normal process, the department intends to purchase the land directly. Once permission is granted, the work will begin, though further delays appear unavoidable until then.
