Bhubaneswar/Puri: With lakhs of devotees expected to descend on Puri for the annual Rath Yatra, the Odisha government has accelerated work on the Matiapada Road Over Bridge (ROB), a crucial link for traffic entering and leaving the pilgrim town. Senior officials have been asked to complete key stretches of the project before the festival to minimise congestion and ensure smoother movement of vehicles.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to ensure seamless traffic management and improve the overall experience for pilgrims during the festival. In line with these directions, Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has asked the Works Department to expedite pending infrastructure works linked to Rath Yatra preparations.
As part of the review process, Works Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh has been making regular visits to Puri to monitor the progress of the Matiapada ROB, which is considered a vital component of the city’s traffic management plan during the festival.
During his latest inspection of the project site, Singh reviewed the status of construction and held discussions with engineers and officials overseeing the work. Officials informed him that the launching of the bow-string girder had been completed successfully.
Singh directed the executing agency to speed up deck slab casting on the bow-string girder and complete the launching of the remaining PSC girder span along with the associated deck slab work at the earliest. He stressed that all remaining construction activities should be completed without delay to make the bridge operational in time for the festival.
The Principal Secretary also instructed officials to complete the ROB service road before Rath Yatra so that it can be opened for traffic. He asked the construction agency to remove construction materials, debris and waste from the site to ensure a clean and safe environment for commuters and pilgrims.
The Matiapada ROB serves as one of the key entry and exit points to Puri and is expected to play a significant role in easing traffic congestion during the annual chariot festival, when the holy town witnesses one of the country’s largest religious gatherings.
The Chief Engineer (National Highways), the Superintending Engineer (NH Division) and other officials associated with the project were present during the inspection.
