Bhubaneswar: Palasuni Square, one of the busiest transit points in Bhubaneswar, continues to suffer from a severe lack of basic public amenities, leaving commuters and locals distressed.

Despite repeated appeals over the last five years to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and even the Chief Minister, no permanent arrangements for public toilets or drinking water facilities have been made at the junction.

Residents and social organisations alleged that several assurances had been made by civic authorities, including promises from the Mayor regarding the construction of a public toilet at the square. However, the project has failed to move beyond announcements.

According to locals, a proposal was prepared last year to build a public toilet near the Daya West Canal road adjoining National Highway-16. Land for the project was reportedly identified, while surveys and design work had also been completed. However, the initiative was later stalled midway.

Palasuni Square, which falls under Ward No. 16 of the BMC, witnesses heavy daily footfall as hundreds of passenger buses halt there every day. Situated along NH-16, the junction serves as a key transit point for commuters travelling to and from Puri, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and several places inside and outside the state.

The area also houses several market complexes and hosts a weekly market twice a week, attracting people from Palasuni village and nearby localities such as GGP Colony, Nigamananda Nagar, Bhagabatsandhan, Basudev Nagar, Jagannath Nagar, Rasulgarh, Chakeisiani and VSS Nagar.

However, the absence of a public toilet has become a major inconvenience, particularly for women commuters and shoppers. Social activist Narayan Prusti said the proposed toilet project remains pending despite all preliminary work being completed.

Residents further alleged that while drinking water facilities are being expanded across the capital city, Palasuni Square has been neglected despite remaining crowded throughout the day. As a result, passengers and market-goers continue to struggle for access to safe drinking water.