Sans streetlights, 2 Bhubaneswar roads turn nightmare for residents

BHUBANESWAR: Several new streets have been constructed in the city to facilitate the movement of people. But in the absence of streetlights, commuting has become difficult in some of the streets.
Commuting on two such streets - one from the Loyala School boundary wall to the Bharatpur Sanctuary boundary wall and another connecting Sainik School and Guru Kelucharan Park - is proving to be nightmarish for people. Both the roads were constructed to provide alternative communication to the busy Jaydev Vihar and Nankankanan stretch.
The authorities have planned six such stretches to decongest the Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan road.
While the work on the six-lane road connecting Loyala School boundary wall to Bharatpur Sanctuary boundary wall has been completed, construction on the other road connecting Sainik School and Guru Kelucharan Park is about 70% over.
"The road near the Bharatpur sanctuary is huge, but it has no streetlights, making it difficult for us to make our way at night. There are no markings on the road as well. Speeding poses another problem," said Ratikanta Ojha, a Niladri Vihar resident.
In the absence of streetlights on the road connecting Sainik School and Guru Kelucharan Park, commuters are finding it difficult to negotiate the incomplete stretch.
"I don't take the road in the night until and unless it is very urgent. One does not know when one will fall into a sewerage pit right in the middle of the road. It is very dangerous. Streetlights are a must for this new road," said Gajendra Mahakud, a Railway Vihar resident.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation assistant executive engineer (electrical) Sukanta Sabat said the work order for the streetlights on the road between Loyala School Boundary and Bharatpur Sanctuary has already been issued and it will be completed in the next four months.
"The road between Sainik School and Guru Kelucharan Park belongs to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority. We will discuss the matter and go for installation of streetlights on the road accordingly," Sabat said.