Rayagada's Flyover in Crisis: Will Urgent Repairs Finally Happen?
The Deteriorating State of Rayagada's Flyover
In Rayagada, the sole flyover on National Highway 326, which is vital for connecting the district to neighboring Andhra Pradesh, is in a state of disrepair due to inadequate maintenance.
Originally inaugurated in 1999 by Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang, the flyover was managed by the Works Department until it was handed over to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in 2018.
Although a minor repair costing Rs21 lakh was conducted in 2019, which included work on the nearby Nagavali river bridge, no further maintenance has occurred since then.
Currently, the flyover is in a dangerous state, with significant cracks and potholes appearing on both sides, and many guardrails either damaged or completely missing.
There have been alarming incidents where cement blocks from the railings have fallen onto the underpass below, narrowly avoiding pedestrians. Additionally, the central section of the flyover has developed a dangerous bulge, leading to instability for heavy vehicles.
The frequency of accidents involving motorcycles and cars has increased due to these structural issues. Recently, an oil tanker lost control and toppled off the flyover, damaging roadside stalls but fortunately causing no injuries.
Despite the heavy traffic from officials and VIPs, the flyover's maintenance has been largely ignored.
Local MLA Kadraka Appala Swamy expressed his dissatisfaction, noting that his repeated complaints to the NHAI have gone unanswered. He criticized the agency for citing delays in project reports and tender processes without taking action.
Kadraka has also raised concerns in the state Assembly, highlighting the contrast between the neglected Rayagada flyover and those in Bhubaneswar, which have received regular upkeep.
In response, Works Department Minister Pritiranjan Gharai stated that maintenance is ongoing and that a proposal for significant repairs has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Repairs will commence once the tender process is approved.
Meanwhile, community members, intellectuals, and political figures are calling for immediate action to restore the flyover.
According to National Highways Executive Engineer Sarmajita Sethi, Rs3 crore has been allocated for repairs to both the flyover and the Nagavali river bridge. However, three attempts to secure contractors through tenders have failed.
She noted that there are no substantial local contractors available, and those from outside have not shown interest, but a new tender will be issued soon.
In a hopeful turn of events, Rs35 crore has been approved for constructing a new bridge over the Nagavali river, with a tender for this project expected to be released shortly.
However, concerns linger about whether the flyover and bridge will receive timely repairs or continue to deteriorate further.