Keonjhar, August 7 (Odisha.in) The life line of Keonjhar district National High Way number 215 has turned into virtual death traps thanks to the gross negligence of the authorities.
Frequent accidents occur on this road which is replete with potholes and ditches. As many as 15 narrow bridges on this road declared weak yet to be replaced.
The old road built by the erstwhile king was declared as National Highway in early 1999. However it has not yet been handed over to National Highway Authority of India as the survey work for four lane of this road was delayed.
Out of these 269 kilometers long Panikoili – Rajamunda, National Highway, 182.29 kilometers comes under Keonjhar district.
This is the only viable road from mining sector Koida, Joda, Barbil that is connecting to Paradeep port for iron transportation.
There are 43 small and big bridges on this highway in Keonjhar district, out of which 15 narrow bridges are declared weak and restricted flowing of vehicles over 10 tonnes load.
However due to lack of official actions as many as 40 to 50 tonne load trucks are playing on this road every day, a local resident Sudhir Kumar Nanda alleged.
Basically the bridge near Belbahali, Gadadharpur, Gopalpur, Bankamaruni, Jodasimuli, Beleipada etc. are in dilapidated state. They are causing great inconvenience to commuters, he said.
If one of those will damage the road will be cut off and iron ore and vehicle movement will stop.
Out of total 182.29 kilometers in Keonjhar district there are 24.30 kilometers Single lane, 38.522 kilometers intermediate lane and 119.468 kilometers double lane road.
“Survey work already completed and notification for land to be acquired completed. After 80 percent notification tender for construction of work will start” said Laxman Mallick, Land acquisition officer of the national highway authority.
“The road which has been providing crores of rupees to government exchequer has been neglected since years together and due to negligence of central government the work did not progress.” BJP district BJP president Murali Sharma told Odisha.in.
“177.71 lakh rupees during 2006-07 and 18.02 lakh rupees during this year have already been spent in the repairing of NH-215. And 345.87 lakh rupees funds required for repairing of potholes to make the road up to riding quality” said Dukhabandhu Behera Executive Engineer NH, Keonjhar Division.
Proposal for Improvement to riding quality sent to government of India yet to be sanctioned. We require about Rupees 2005 crores for the construction of four lane national highway -215, he said.
Odisha.in