Rains expose chinks on Balasore roads

BALASORE: If you are planning to go out in the evening after the afternoon shower, better drop the idea. For sure, you will come back home with muddied clothes and even a damaged bike. With potholes filled with rainwater, you can hardly see them.  After the first monsoon showers, the condition of roads in Balasore town has turned from bad to worse. Most of the roads which were repaired a few months ago by both the municipality and the local Defence unit have developed significant cracks and potholes.  The condition of the roads at major thoroughfares like Fakir Mohan Golai, Phandi Chhack, Motiganj Bazar, Manikhamb, Mathasahi, Bhoisahi, Hemkapada, Azimabad, Ranipatana, Arad Bazar and Nayabazar areas are pockmarked. Locals attributed it to the poor quality road construction and lack of maintenance. “Usually the roads are repaired before monsoon, but this year no such step has been taken by the municipality,” said Dilip Kumar Parida of Mathasahi.Official sources said the coastal town has about 500 km of road that comes under Balasore Municipality. While the OT Road is repaired by the PWD Department, the roads connecting ITI Chhack to Chandipur, Police line Square to Hemkapada and Station Chhack to Padhuanpada are maintained by the local Defence estate management unit.  However, the 5-km patch between ITI square and Patrapada which is supposed to be repaired by the Defence unit is in horrible condition. Motorists have to use all their skills to manoeuvre through this 100-metre patch.  The civic body and the defence unit instead blame each other for the mess. While the Defence authorities blame the bad state of roads on water-logging, the municipal authorities put onus on the poor repair work. ADM Sribatsa Jena said the defence unit has made an agreement for repair and restoration of the road by month-end. “Discussions are on to hand over this particular patch to the Defence unit for fresh construction,” he said.Civic authorities cited funds problem for bad state of affairs. “We are aware of the condition of the roads and repair work is being taken up in phases,” said executive officer S K Nayak.