Indus Valley Times

By Mahendra Kumar Darjee

Balangir, June 28: Less than a month after its construction began, the Salebhata-Kutasingha road in Agalpur (Duduka) block of Balangir district has reportedly developed cracks and depressions at several stretches, triggering strong resentment among local residents.

According to villagers, the road — part of a Rs 30-crore project — has deteriorated prematurely due to alleged substandard work by the contractor, carried out under the alleged indifference of departmental officials. Locals have claimed that instead of following prescribed construction norms, the contractor’s workers have resorted to patching the damaged areas by loosely mixing stones and metal to conceal defects.

Residents suspect that the poor quality of work was executed at the whims of the contractor in connivance with certain officials. “The road hasn’t even lasted a month properly, and yet parts of it are crumbling. This shows sheer negligence and disregard for public safety and resources,” a local villager alleged.

The discontented locals have urged senior officials of the department concerned to intervene immediately, investigate the matter, and take strict action against those responsible for the alleged irregularities.

No official comment has been received from the authorities or the contractor concerned till the time of filing this report.