Jajpur Road: The construction of a Sanskruti Bhawan to enrich the cultural activities of this town at the entrance of Kalinganagar industrial area hasn’t yet been fulfilled, reports said.
With the town not having a proper auditorium to hold meetings and other functions, the residents have been demanding the construction of a Sanskruti Bhawan.
The finance minister in 2009 Prafulla Chandra Ghadei and MLA Sanchita Mohanty laid the foundation stone of Sanskruti Bhawan on the premises of Vyasanagar municipality bus stand.
A total of Rs 1.06 crore had also been sanctioned for its construction. However, the construction work hasn’t started soon.
Following pressure from the people, a patch of land was earmarked at Santara, near Vyasanagar municipality November 13, 2015. Korei MLA Akash Das Nayak laid the foundation stone of the Sanskruti Bhawan.
Though three years have been passed and Rs 1.06 lakh spent, the construction of the building hasn’t been completed.
According to reports, the work was stopped due to the shortage of funds.
Panikoili works department has written a letter to the office of the chief engineer of works department, seeking another Rs 1.80 crore for its completion.
When contacted, Panikoili Roads and Buildings (R&B) division executive engineer Tara Prasad Mishra said the money sanctioned has already been spent.
SDO Manoj Mohapatra said the construction work has been going on but another Rs 1 crore is required to complete it.
Similarly, the stretch connecting National Highway 20 from the Fire Station to Biju Patnaik Marg has not been completed though the work was started 12 years ago.
The Jajpur Road Traders’ Association had staged an agitation for the construction of the road.
With the road still under construction, heavy vehicles have been using the town for commuting, leading to traffic jams and accidents.
Six months ago, executive engineer of the works department had assured that the construction work would start soon but nothing has been materialised so far.
When contacted, the R&B department executive engineer said two estimates – one comprising Rs 16 lakh and another Rs 14 lakh — have been made for its construction. Once the funds are made available, the work would be started, the official said.
In another development, the Kalyan Mandap constructed by KNDA is awaiting inauguration but it hasn’t yet received water and electricity connection.
Similarly, for the beautification and resurrection of Vyasa Sarobar tourism spot, the tourism department had sanctioned Rs 1 crore. Out of that, Rs 50, 000 has been spent, but the rest of the sanctioned money has not been utilised.
Locals alleged that the lack of will power of political leaders and government cause hurdles in this town’s development.
They also blamed the lack of developmental works in the municipality due to the ongoing tussle between Councillors and chairman.
