Puri: Delay in the construction of a rail over bridge (RoB) at Siddhamahaveer level crossing here has created resentment among the locals as well as visitors who usually travel on the route to reach the Sun Temple at Konark.
The locals blamed official apathy for delay in the construction of the RoB and urged the district administration to look into the issue at the earliest.
The Puri-Konark National Highway crosses rail lines at Siddhamahaveer. Hundreds of tourists and locals usually travel on the NH to reach the Sun Temple, a world heritage site. The travellers, schoolchildren and patients are often forced to wait at the level crossing to facilitate rail traffic.
Besides, frequent road mishaps have been reported in the locality due to traffic snarls. It may be mentioned here that the state government decided to construct an over bridge at the level crossing in 2015 in the wake of frequent demands in this regard from the locals.
However, the authorities concerned are yet to begin work for the RoB project.
“At least 50 trains usually ply on the route on any given day. The commuters are being forced to wait at the level crossing in every 10 minutes. Recently, an express train crossed the level crossing when the gates were left open due to some glitches. We have raised the RoB issue with the state government several times but to no avail,” said social activist Bishwanath Dash.
Youth leader Sujit Mahapatra and Congress activist Amarendra Paikray alleged that the state government and the district administration have turned a blind eye to the suffering of locals and visitors to Konark temple.
“The RoB at Siddhamahaveer level crossing can also boost tourism in Puri-Konark area,” opined social activist Hrushikesh Nayak.
Collector Jyotiprakash Dash said they are facing difficulties to acquire land for the RoB project. “Anyway, we would look into the issue and take steps to expedite work for the project,” he added.
