Puri, Jul 2: With just 14 days left for the world-famous Rath Yatra, concerns are mounting over the poor condition of roads in and around Puri, raising serious questions about the safety of lakhs of devotees expected to visit the holy city.
Several key roads within Puri, as well as major national highways, state highways and Public Works Department (PWD) roads connecting the pilgrimage town, are riddled with potholes. Despite the approaching festival, comprehensive repair work has yet to be completed, with authorities relying mainly on temporary patchwork that gets washed away after every spell of rain.
The condition of the Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway has become particularly alarming. More than 500 potholes have reportedly developed between Sakhigopal and Malatipatapur. Cracks and damaged portions have also widened on the old Kathapola concrete bridge. Meanwhile, one side of the newly constructed Chandanpur bypass bridge has been closed for repair work, forcing commuters to use damaged service roads, leading to traffic congestion and inconvenience.
Road safety concerns extend beyond potholes. Traffic signals at several junctions along the national highway are reportedly non-functional, while overgrown tree branches are obstructing the movement of buses and heavy vehicles. Sand, gravel and debris remain uncleared from several stretches, increasing the risk of accidents. Stray cattle roaming and resting on highways have also become a major hazard, yet no effective measures have been taken to relocate them. In addition, inadequate lighting at junctions, railway overbridges and underpasses continues to pose safety risks for commuters.
The Puri-Konark and Puri-Satapada state highways are also in poor condition, with damaged road surfaces affecting daily traffic. Locals have alleged that despite existing road safety norms, the authorities have failed to ensure proper maintenance, resulting in frequent accidents.
Several important district roads connecting the national and state highways—including the New Jagannath Road (Rameswar–Chandanpur–Puri), Malatipatapur–Baidasanagar Road, Pattanayikia–Khordha Road, Dandamukundapur–Pipili–Jatni Road, Satasankha–Balanga–Nimapara Road, Pipili–Nimapara–Charichhak Road, Gop–Balighai Road and Uttara–Balakati Road—also remain riddled with potholes. Most of these roads fall under the PWD, but repair and renovation work is yet to be completed.
Within Puri city, several major roads, including the Mangalaghat–Jatia Babaji Square stretch of the national highway, Hospital Square–Batagaon Road, Chakratirtha Road, Beach Road and Lokanath Road, continue to remain in poor condition. Construction of the Matiapada Square–Bhudan Square road and the Siddha Mahavir Railway Overbridge is also incomplete, triggering public resentment.
Residents have further alleged that even after roads are repaired, repeated excavation for the installation of CCTV cameras, high-mast lights, streetlights, sewer manholes and PNG pipelines is causing fresh damage. The approach road to Shree Setu also remains incomplete, while unfinished stretches beneath the overbridge have become accident-prone.
Adding to the concerns, many busy roads in Puri continue to lack adequate street lighting. Despite repeated complaints from residents and commuters, locals allege that the administration has yet to take effective steps to address these issues ahead of the annual Rath Yatra.
