Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Rural Development Department has ordered swift action to repair and restore rural roads, bridges, culverts and cross-drainage structures damaged by intense rainfall and flooding, prioritising the earliest possible return of normal traffic.
In a communication dated July 31, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Yamini Sarangi wrote to the Engineer-in-Chief-I and Engineer-in-Chief-II of Rural Works, directing them to begin restoration work without delay across all affected divisions.
Field reports indicate that heavy rain and floodwaters have caused breaches and damage to road infrastructure, interrupting connectivity and creating difficulties for residents in several areas. Officials have been told to carry out repairs and restoration within their jurisdictions strictly according to prescribed rules and procedures so that traffic movement can resume as soon as possible. They must also keep a close watch on high-risk locations and implement both preventive steps and repairs promptly, while maintaining safety and quality standards.
Until conditions return to normal, sites should be secured with barricades, warning signs and suitable traffic diversions.
“You are also instructed to closely monitor the situation in vulnerable areas and ensure that necessary preventive as well as restoration measures are taken up promptly, wherever necessary, without compromising safety and quality. Adequate cautionary measures, including barricading, warning signs and traffic diversion arrangements, shall be provided at affected locations till normalcy is restored”, read the order issued by the Rural Development Department.
A comprehensive report covering the type and scale of damage, the works undertaken and geo-tagged photographs is required to be submitted to the department for further action.
The instructions come amid ongoing monsoon impacts that have disrupted rural connectivity in parts of the state.
