Shastri Nagar residents seek FOB on busy artery

Bhubaneswar: Residents of Shastri Nagar have raised concerns about pedestrian safety and demanded the construction of a foot overbridge (FOB) on Bidyut Marg, one of the city's major thoroughfares.
The demand was raised during TOI Citizen Reporter app launch event held here on Saturday, where senior citizens highlighted the risks faced by pedestrians daily while crossing the road to access various establishments and institutions.
"Bidyut Marg, despite being a major city artery, lacks basic pedestrian crossing facilities. Our children put their lives at risk every day while crossing the road to reach their schools," said Abhiram Jena, secretary of Shastri Nagar Baristha Nagarika Mancha during the event.
The issue particularly affects Shastri Nagar, a densely populated area, where residents must regularly cross the busy road to access schools, hospitals and other essential institutions located on the opposite side.
Absence of safe crossing infrastructure has become a significant concern for locals, especially for families with school-going children and elderly residents. "We have been demanding the facility for quite a long time," Jena said.
Police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh, who attended the event as a guest, responded positively to the concerns. "We have taken note of the challenges faced by people. We will actively pursue the matter with the works department to implement appropriate solutions," he said.
The proposed FOB would provide a safe crossing option for pedestrians, potentially preventing accidents and ensuring smoother traffic flow on Bidyut Marg. Local residents hope this infrastructure addition will address their long-standing safety concerns.
The demand for the FOB comes amid the growing concerns about pedestrian safety in rapidly developing urban areas. According to city traffic data, pedestrian-related incidents have seen a steady rise in recent years, emphasising the need for better infrastructure.
The CP's assurance has given hope to the residents. The works department is expected to conduct a feasibility study soon to determine the best location and design for the proposed FOB.
Local authorities have indicated that they will prioritise the project, considering the high pedestrian traffic in the area and the presence of multiple educational and healthcare institutes along Bidyut Marg.