Bhubaneswar, Aug. 1 (UDN): The Odisha government has directed officials of the Rural Development Department to undertake immediate restoration of rural roads, bridges, culverts and cross-drainage structures damaged by recent floods and heavy rainfall, with the focus on restoring connectivity at the earliest.
In a directive issued on July 31, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Rural Development, Yamini Sarangi instructed the Engineer-in-Chief-I and Engineer-in-Chief-II of Rural Works to launch repair and restoration works without delay in all flood-affected divisions.
According to the department, incessant rainfall and flooding have caused breaches and extensive damage to rural road infrastructure in several parts of the state, disrupting transportation and affecting access to villages.
Officials have been asked to assess the damage, carry out restoration works in accordance with prescribed technical norms and ensure that normal traffic movement is resumed as quickly as possible. They have also been directed to closely monitor vulnerable locations and initiate preventive measures wherever required to minimise further damage.
Pending full restoration, authorities have been instructed to implement adequate safety measures at affected sites, including barricading damaged stretches, installing warning signage and creating temporary traffic diversions to safeguard commuters.
The department has stressed that all restoration activities must adhere to prescribed quality and safety standards while ensuring timely completion of the works.
To facilitate monitoring, field officials have been directed to submit a detailed report on the extent of damage, restoration measures undertaken and geo-tagged photographs of the affected sites to the department for further review and necessary action.
The directive comes as several districts continue to grapple with the aftermath of monsoon rains and floods that have disrupted road connectivity and public movement across rural Odisha.