Defunct lights on Bomikhal ROB add to commuters’ woes

Bhubaneswar: Commuters moving on the Bomikhal road overbridge (ROB) here are facing trouble to navigate their way as streetlights have become defunct since Sunday. They were already facing problems as an important service lane of the ROB has been closed since last Thursday for laying of a sewerage line.Due to the closure of the service lane on the Cuttack-Puri state highway, the authorities have opened the Bomikhal ROB for diverting the traffic while commuters and residents of Bomikhal and Rasulgarh areas continue to use a part of the closed lane to reach their respective destinations.The streetlights on the ROB not only help the traffic move on the flyover smoothly at night but also help commuters moving in service lanes on both sides of the bridge.“It is getting difficult for us to move on the bridge as heavy vehicles like buses are using it due to the closure of the road under the ROB due to the sewerage work. The defunct streetlights have increased our problems manifold,” said Bijay Sahoo, a resident of Bomikhal.The situation has turned problematic for the residents of Bomikhal, especially those who live by the side of the closed road. Having no alternative, the residents are using a part of the closed road, which is now replete with giant pits created due to the laying of sewerage line.A major portion of the closed road has been dug up that has not only created giant pits but also heaps of mud are piled on the stretch. It was already a risk to move on the road. Now the absence of streetlights has created a death trap,” Umesh Nayak, a commuter, said.Many residents took to social media and requested the TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) to resolve the issue. The discom responded by saying the complaint has been forwarded to the concerned division.The public works department, which looks after the bridge, said that they will look into the matter. “The sewerage line work might have damaged the power supply line. We will send our team for inspection and will resolve the issue,” executive engineer, works department, Sachin Sahoo said.