It was a dream for every one residing in Sambalpur to have an bypass the National Highway 6 on the river side of the town. But it remains incomplete due to mass corruption and superfluous attitude of the high officials and lack of will power of the political leaders. But people are still hopeful of the completion of the project as it would have a direct effect on the social and economical development of the area.
“Sambalpur ring road” project is not a ‘road of circle’ but still people love to call it ‘ring’.The half completed road has become quite useful for the people even though the wish of than minister late Basant Biswal of inaugurating the same remained in the plaque hung at one side of the road. The Plaque refreshes the memory of then deputy CM of Orissa late Mr. Biswal as the project was remained incomplete during his life time..
On the bank of the River Mahanadi the road-cum-embankment do attract people especially during rainy season to have a glimpse of the roaring flood water gushing out through the river. But the purpose of construction of the embankment/road was yet to be fruitful as the half completed project was neither helpful to save the town from flood water & back water of neither the River nor it was capable to divert the busy traffic of the National High Way. Thus it never becomes an alternative route for the traffic passing through NH 6
.
The project was formulated during congress regime to construct a half circle road on the River side of the town so as to connect NH 6 from both ends. Since NH 6 encircles the town half way from the outer side, the idea behind the project was to complete the circle through riverside of the town. Though it was a terrific idea and for which than government was appreciated by everyone for giving a surprise-gift to the people of Sambalpur. Late Basant Biswal, than Deputy CM of Orissa laid the foundation stone of the project at commissioner’s colony ground soon after the project got approval by the Technical advisory committee. It was assured to complete the project within 2 years. But even after 13 years the project remains half-completed. People still considered the project as one of the best project formulated by the congress government for the development of the town...
According to the official records, the project consists of 12 km road-cum-embankment, was formulated by the chief engineer of lower Mahanadi basin, Bhubanswar with an estimated cost of Rs.37.64 crores. It got approved by the 77th TAC meeting held on 8th august 1995 with few observations. The chief engineer submitted a revised project basing on the comments of the TAC with few modification vide his later no 9235 of Dt. 26th September 1995. How ever the estimated cost was also enhanced to Rs. 43.70 crores after revised of the project. Accordingly the project was finally decided to take up in two phases i.e. 0 km to 7.50 KMs in first phase and from 7.50 to 12.00 in second phase. It was also approved to spend Rs. 12.52 crores for first 7 ½ KMs and Rs. 31.18 crores on the rest 4 ½ KMs. Surprisingly the first phase work of 7 ½ km was reduced to only 3 ½ KM during publication of the tender notice in Dharitri and Samaj of Dt.21st September 1995 and 26th September 1995 respectively.
Contractors of various places took interest on the project. But surprisingly the 4th lowest bidder orient construction (pvt) Ltd was assigned for the 1 ½ km work. More surprisingly the rate was negotiated at 40.82 % excess to the actual bidding price of the contractor. Like wise the tenders of Nanuram Agrawal and Nirmaan Construction got selected for the work of one KM each though they were 2nd and 4th lowest tender. They took assignment with a negotiated rate 40% excess over the amount they put in their tender papers. “I do not know why this manipulation was taken place but surely this was done at the wish of then deputy CM and water resources minister Basant Biswal” the former collector of Sambalpur Sayed Ossatullah commented while talking to the pressmen.
In the initial stage the construction work was very enthusiastic. But low quality work in the later part left the project incompleted. Finally Water resources department declared spending of entire project amount to complete only 3½ km keeping the project incomplete. .Due to mass corruption by the congress government, BJD/BJP alliance government was come to power in 2000, but the fate of the project remained unchanged. The total money was spent only for the construction of 3 ½ km road. Though it was unbelievable it is true. The 3 ½ km was connected with an existing road at Mandalia on one side but unable to connect with the Kachery chowck on the other side as the land was under litigation. The 15 miters kachha road from Kacheri chowck tells the truth of the project even after two decades.
On the other hand the incomplete embankment becomes a threat for various low-line areas of the town. Many parts of the town including Commissioner’s colony, Hirakud colony, Charbhati, Kuluthkani, Gobindtola, Binakhandi, and Chandan Nagar are submerging with back-water of Mahanadi River with slight discharge of flood water from reservoir due the half-completed embankment. "We never had a back-water threat earlier, but in recent years we are experiencing this kind of threat with slightest rain" said Samaru Oram of Charbhati.
When the issue was raised by the people before the local legislature and state transport and commerce minister Jay Narayan Mishra, he criticized the congress government for creating such a situation “though the idea was noble but their intension was not clean” he alleged. The minister assured to make all necessary arrangement to resume the work so as to complete the project as soon as possible. But the assurance of the transport minister was also proved to be a false as during his 9 years tenure he never takes any step to complete the project. Irony of the fact is that the condition of the half-completed 3 ½ KM was so precarious that it needs immediate repairing,
"The political leaders have no choice but to give false promises. In order to remain in the power they only give false assurances. The present condition of the project is an burning example how the politicians make false promises" the retired bank official Mr. NK Dash said.
“Sambalpur ring road” project is not a ‘road of circle’ but still people love to call it ‘ring’.The half completed road has become quite useful for the people even though the wish of than minister late Basant Biswal of inaugurating the same remained in the plaque hung at one side of the road. The Plaque refreshes the memory of then deputy CM of Orissa late Mr. Biswal as the project was remained incomplete during his life time..
On the bank of the River Mahanadi the road-cum-embankment do attract people especially during rainy season to have a glimpse of the roaring flood water gushing out through the river. But the purpose of construction of the embankment/road was yet to be fruitful as the half completed project was neither helpful to save the town from flood water & back water of neither the River nor it was capable to divert the busy traffic of the National High Way. Thus it never becomes an alternative route for the traffic passing through NH 6
.
The project was formulated during congress regime to construct a half circle road on the River side of the town so as to connect NH 6 from both ends. Since NH 6 encircles the town half way from the outer side, the idea behind the project was to complete the circle through riverside of the town. Though it was a terrific idea and for which than government was appreciated by everyone for giving a surprise-gift to the people of Sambalpur. Late Basant Biswal, than Deputy CM of Orissa laid the foundation stone of the project at commissioner’s colony ground soon after the project got approval by the Technical advisory committee. It was assured to complete the project within 2 years. But even after 13 years the project remains half-completed. People still considered the project as one of the best project formulated by the congress government for the development of the town...
According to the official records, the project consists of 12 km road-cum-embankment, was formulated by the chief engineer of lower Mahanadi basin, Bhubanswar with an estimated cost of Rs.37.64 crores. It got approved by the 77th TAC meeting held on 8th august 1995 with few observations. The chief engineer submitted a revised project basing on the comments of the TAC with few modification vide his later no 9235 of Dt. 26th September 1995. How ever the estimated cost was also enhanced to Rs. 43.70 crores after revised of the project. Accordingly the project was finally decided to take up in two phases i.e. 0 km to 7.50 KMs in first phase and from 7.50 to 12.00 in second phase. It was also approved to spend Rs. 12.52 crores for first 7 ½ KMs and Rs. 31.18 crores on the rest 4 ½ KMs. Surprisingly the first phase work of 7 ½ km was reduced to only 3 ½ KM during publication of the tender notice in Dharitri and Samaj of Dt.21st September 1995 and 26th September 1995 respectively.
Contractors of various places took interest on the project. But surprisingly the 4th lowest bidder orient construction (pvt) Ltd was assigned for the 1 ½ km work. More surprisingly the rate was negotiated at 40.82 % excess to the actual bidding price of the contractor. Like wise the tenders of Nanuram Agrawal and Nirmaan Construction got selected for the work of one KM each though they were 2nd and 4th lowest tender. They took assignment with a negotiated rate 40% excess over the amount they put in their tender papers. “I do not know why this manipulation was taken place but surely this was done at the wish of then deputy CM and water resources minister Basant Biswal” the former collector of Sambalpur Sayed Ossatullah commented while talking to the pressmen.
In the initial stage the construction work was very enthusiastic. But low quality work in the later part left the project incompleted. Finally Water resources department declared spending of entire project amount to complete only 3½ km keeping the project incomplete. .Due to mass corruption by the congress government, BJD/BJP alliance government was come to power in 2000, but the fate of the project remained unchanged. The total money was spent only for the construction of 3 ½ km road. Though it was unbelievable it is true. The 3 ½ km was connected with an existing road at Mandalia on one side but unable to connect with the Kachery chowck on the other side as the land was under litigation. The 15 miters kachha road from Kacheri chowck tells the truth of the project even after two decades.
On the other hand the incomplete embankment becomes a threat for various low-line areas of the town. Many parts of the town including Commissioner’s colony, Hirakud colony, Charbhati, Kuluthkani, Gobindtola, Binakhandi, and Chandan Nagar are submerging with back-water of Mahanadi River with slight discharge of flood water from reservoir due the half-completed embankment. "We never had a back-water threat earlier, but in recent years we are experiencing this kind of threat with slightest rain" said Samaru Oram of Charbhati.
When the issue was raised by the people before the local legislature and state transport and commerce minister Jay Narayan Mishra, he criticized the congress government for creating such a situation “though the idea was noble but their intension was not clean” he alleged. The minister assured to make all necessary arrangement to resume the work so as to complete the project as soon as possible. But the assurance of the transport minister was also proved to be a false as during his 9 years tenure he never takes any step to complete the project. Irony of the fact is that the condition of the half-completed 3 ½ KM was so precarious that it needs immediate repairing,
"The political leaders have no choice but to give false promises. In order to remain in the power they only give false assurances. The present condition of the project is an burning example how the politicians make false promises" the retired bank official Mr. NK Dash said.
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