A month after repair, Sambalpur roads show real ugly face

THE roads across Sambalpur city have deteriorated following the first spell of monsoon rain, just within a month after being repaired for the Sital Sasthi festival.

- MAYANK BHUSAN PANI @Sambalpur

As the blacktop peels away, large potholes and sunken patches have emerged across the city, posing danger to commuters. The damaged stretches have triggered a series of accidents, particularly affecting two-wheeler riders and school-going children, and led to severe traffic snarls.

The situation has also provoked widespread public anger, with many residents blaming poor planning, lack of monitoring, and substandard work by contractors. During Sital Sasthi, major roads and inner lanes were given a new layer across the city. However, just a few showers have laid bare the poor quality of the work.