SAMBALPUR: Even though the Forest and Environment department had handed over Zilla School Chowk-Deer Park Road here to Public Works department (PWD) a year ago for its development, no headway has been made so far.
Sources said the PWD had submitted a proposal to the Forest department to bring the road under its jurisdiction for development. Subsequently, the Forest department convened a meeting of the residents of the Ward and sought their consent. In August 2016, the 3-km road was transferred from Forest department to PWD.
As per the proposal, the PWD was supposed to renovate the road and construct concrete pathway along one side of the road for morning and evening walkers. This apart, there was also a plan for construction of concrete benches along the pathway.
The road leads to Wild Animal Conservation Centre (WACC), popularly known as Deer Park, situated in the midst of Motijharan Reserve Forest. At present, the road is lying in a dilapidated condition due to lack of maintenance with numerous potholes dotting the stretch. Locals said with Motijharan Reserve Forest housing the small zoo, the development of concrete pathway along the road will attract more people for both morning and evening walks.
Contacted, Deputy Executive Engineer of PWD, Sambalpur, Narayan Patel said the detailed project report on the road is being prepared and the department will float tender for the work soon.