Sambalpur: The Extreme Outcome of SMC’s Neglect; Ring Road’s Condition Tarnishing Sambalpur’s Image
Sambalpur: The neglect by the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has reached an extreme, and the deteriorating condition of the Ring Road is tarnishing the image of Sambalpur. Sambalpur’s Ring Road is often referred to as the city’s necklace. After its construction, it garnered a lot of attention due to its wall paintings on both sides and the lighting that attracted people, especially at night. People from outside the city would come here to take photos, while locals enjoyed biking around the area at night for a sense of relaxation. However, the Ring Road no longer holds the same charm. People now mockingly say that the flowers of the necklace have withered.
The Ring Road, which connects Kacheri Square to the National Highway, is a major route for city residents. It is crucial for devotees going to Samlei Temple, patients traveling from Sambalpur city to Burla VIMSAR for treatment, and officials heading to SMC and SDI. After the implementation of the Samlei Plan, the importance of this road increased significantly. Before the Chief Minister’s visit to inaugurate the Samlei Plan, the Ring Road’s maintenance was in top condition.
However, in recent times, the SMC administration has not taken any measures for its upkeep. The plants on the divider have not been watered regularly, leading to their decay. Previously, the road was cleaned regularly, but now the Ring Road has become a dumping ground for local garbage. Efforts to beautify the road included constructing shelters along the Mahanadi riverbank, where people traveling through the city would spend some time. Now, these shelters are in disrepair, and nobody wants to sit there due to a lack of cleanliness and overgrown weeds.
Due to substandard work, the paver blocks on the pedestrian path are sunken in various places. Instead of people walking, it is now common to see stray dogs using the path for defecation. The Samlei Project has placed Sambalpur on the tourism map of the state and the country, attracting devotees and tourists from across the nation. However, the current state of the Ring Road is tarnishing the image of Sambalpur. There is a growing demand from the public for the SMC authorities to undertake regular maintenance of the Ring Road.
