Orissa high court orders urgent road repairs in Cuttack to address deteriorating conditions | Bhubaneswar News
Cuttack: Expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of roads in the city, Orissa high court has directed the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) to adopt a structured and time-bound approach to repair damaged stretches across all 59 wards, especially in critical areas like markets, hospitals, schools and accident-prone zones.A special bench comprising Justices S K Sahoo and V Narasingh, while hearing PILs on civic issues, observed that urban roads are vital for economic and social development. “Good roads in urban areas are essential for economic growth… and improving access to education, healthcare and other essential services,” the bench noted in its order on Oct 9.Citing data from ‘Bharatpedia’, the bench said CMC covers 783 km of roads, many of which are in poor condition as per a fact sheet submitted by the city engineer. The bench said the situation is “far from satisfactory” and needs urgent attention.To ensure accountability, the bench ordered ward-level engineers to submit detailed reports outlining total road length, stretches needing repair, and deadlines for completion. Measurements must be carried out in the presence of the court-appointed advocates’ committee.“Priority in road repairs is to be given in market areas, around hospitals, educational institutions, accident-prone zones and densely populated wards,” the bench said and directed that roads requiring urgent repair must be taken up immediately, even bypassing the usual tender process.The engineers have been asked to file affidavits by Nov 24, detailing road works worth Rs 2 lakh or less undertaken in each ward between Jan and Sept. If such works were carried out repeatedly on the same road, an explanation must be provided.The court also flagged the issue of rising road levels due to repeated layering. “It should be ensured that the road repair work does not increase the road height,” the bench observed, warning that unscientific repairs worsen flooding, damage buildings and choke drains.CMC commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota assured the court that engineers will be directed to include road digging costs in estimates to maintain proper levels and avoid impacting drainage. The matter has been posted for next hearing on Nov 27.
