Sambalpur, 25th Aug 2025: Even after months of inauguration, the Durga Pali railway overbridge has not been fully repaired. Cracks and potholes keep appearing on different stretches of the bridge.
Late last night, during heavy rain, workers from the Public Works Department were seen repairing the damaged portions. Wearing raincoats, they patched potholes in several places. Locals, who raised questions about such unusual night work in the rain, did not receive any response from the workers.
The overbridge, constructed jointly by the Public Works and Railways Departments at a cost of ₹60.43 crore, was inaugurated on May 25 this year. It was expected to ease traffic congestion in the area and ensure safe and smooth movement for the public. However, just a day after inauguration, large potholes appeared on the bridge road. At that time, it was alleged that low-quality materials and hurried work to meet the inauguration deadline had caused the damage.
Although an inquiry was held into the road construction, potholes reappeared within a week. In many cases, potholes resurfaced even the very next day after repair. Now, with repair work being carried out again at night in heavy rain, suspicion has further deepened about the quality of construction. Local people are demanding a proper inspection of the materials used in building the overbridge.