Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified preparations for post-monsoon repair and restoration of roads and bridges damaged by heavy rainfall, floods and landslides across the state.
Public Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has directed officials to undertake immediate repairs of damaged road stretches and ensure that restoration work is completed without unnecessary delays.
The condition of roads and the progress of ongoing repair works were reviewed during a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan. Officials discussed damage reported in several districts following the state’s recent monsoon-related weather conditions.
Roads Damaged by Rain, Floods and Landslides Under Review
The meeting reviewed the condition of several important road stretches, including Nakhara-Niali, Adaspur-Jagatsinghpur and Kalinga Ghati.
Road conditions in Koraput, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack Town, Ganjam, Sambalpur, Keonjhar and Paradip were also discussed during the review.
The assessment focused on identifying damaged stretches and determining the restoration work required to improve road connectivity following the monsoon.
Regular Inspections Ordered Across the State
Minister Prithviraj Harichandan directed officials at different levels of the Public Works Department to closely monitor the condition of roads under their respective jurisdictions.
Officials ranging from the Engineer-in-Chief and Chief Engineers to Superintending Engineers and Junior Engineers have been instructed to regularly inspect roads and identify stretches requiring urgent intervention.
The minister also stressed that negligence in carrying out road repair work would not be tolerated.
The directions are aimed at ensuring that damaged roads are identified promptly and repair work is taken up before the condition of the infrastructure deteriorates further.
Road Condition Reports Every 15 Days
As part of the monitoring mechanism, officials have been asked to submit road condition reports every 15 days.
The periodic reporting system is intended to provide the department with regular updates on damaged roads, ongoing restoration work and areas where additional intervention may be required.
The reports will also help authorities track whether repair work is progressing according to schedule.
Focus on Faster Road Restoration
The government is also examining ways to make the tendering process more transparent and faster.
Faster processing of tenders is expected to help departments take up repair and restoration projects without prolonged administrative delays.
The discussions also covered measures to streamline the process so that damaged roads can be restored more quickly across different parts of Odisha.
Kalinga Ghati Among Key Areas Reviewed
The condition of Kalinga Ghati, an important road link between Ganjam and Kandhamal, was among the issues reviewed during the meeting.
The route has faced disruption following landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, highlighting the challenges posed by the monsoon to road infrastructure in hilly areas.
The government’s broader post-monsoon repair exercise will therefore cover both routine road damage and stretches affected by flooding, landslides and other weather-related incidents.
Government Seeks Timely Restoration
With the monsoon causing damage to roads at multiple locations, the Public Works Department has been directed to maintain regular field-level monitoring and act promptly wherever restoration is required.
The combination of periodic inspections, 15-day reports and efforts to streamline tender procedures is intended to improve the pace of road repairs.
The government has emphasised that timely restoration is important for maintaining safe and reliable road connectivity across Odisha, particularly in areas affected by floods and landslides.
