Cuttack: Commuters and residents travelling along the stretch connecting Rajendra Nagar (opposite Samrat Talkies) to the Kalyan Nagar entry point adjacent to NH-16 are having a harrowing time, as the road has turned into a maze of potholes and craters.The miserable condition of the road has worsened with the rains, leaving the entire stretch muddy and waterlogged. It becomes a nightmare. The road, which witnesses regular movement of vehicles and connects residential areas with the national highway, has become a major concern. Large potholes filled with rainwater make it difficult for motorists to judge their depth, increasing the risk of accidents.“Authorities seem to have completely forgotten this road. In a single spell of rain, the road becomes horrible. It’s been weeks; no one has ever come to check it, no permanent solution is taken. Commuters are forced to risk their lives on a road located right beside NH-16,” said Ratikant Das, a resident of Kalyan Nagar.A commuter, Purna Chandra Mohanty, said, “The road is full of potholes and mud. Vehicles get stuck and people have to drive through dirty water. The civic authorities should visit the spot instead of relying only on reports from officials.”Two-wheelers are particularly vulnerable as they are forced to negotiate the stretch cautiously. At night, the condition is worse than ever; despite several complaints, the civic body is in deep slumber, added Mohanty.Kalyan Nagar houses several private hospitals, colleges and schools, making the stretch a crucial route for students, patients, staff and daily commuters.Residents said the pothole-ridden road poses a serious risk, particularly during rain, when water-filled craters make commuting difficult and could delay patients and emergency vehicles.“Thousands of people use this road every day, yet the authorities have allowed it to deteriorate. It is a serious safety concern, especially for students, patients and ambulances,” said Pranab Mishra, a resident of Rajendra Nagar.Mishra said the stretch has been neglected for a long time and demanded immediate repair and proper resurfacing. They also urged the authorities to ensure adequate drainage so that rainwater does not accumulate on the road.Cuttack Municipal Corporation mayor Subhash Singh said, “We will get the stretch inspected and take up the issue with the concerned engineering officials. Necessary steps will be taken to repair the damaged portion at the earliest,” added Singh.
