By SANTOSH MOHANTY
The four lane work of Cuttack-Sambalpur NH-55 has been continuing for the past three years since 2018, yet there seems to be no end to it due to sheer negligence of National Highway and Transport ministry.
Although the deadline for completion of the work was slated for 2020, nearly half of the four lane work has been completed till date. The NH 55 has now become a misnomer being interspersed with ditches causing a number of accidents in the past three years. The motorists as well as the commuters face a lot of hardship while negotiating the worst ever road in their life.
Sources said the construction agency engaged by the NH authorities on contractual assignment has stopped the work alleging nonpayment following resources crunch due to several factors including the pandemic.
Protesting against the lackadaisical attitude of the highway authorities, Angul-Dhenkanal Bus Owners had discontinued bus services between Angul-Dhenkanal-Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in the last week of December 2021 as a mark of protest against the inhuman act. They have warned that they will carry on the strike for indefinite period if the authorities did not relent.
Dhenkanal MP Mahesh Sahoo had met the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in December to urge him to take immediate action on the matter. Gadkari, it is believed, that he has directed the officials concerned to expedite the four lane work of NH 55. But, the miseries of commuters are yet to be over. Earlier, Deputy Speaker of Odisha Assembly and Angul MLA Rajanikanta Singh had urged the administration to speed up the four lane work, but little progress has been made so far.
Meanwhile, the PWD authorities have not shown their interest to take up rebuilding of Panchamahala-Banarpal stretch of the NH 55 in Angul district which is in ramshackle condition. The 15-km stretch of the highway is unfit for even walking, let alone driving bikes, cars and other vehicles. Numerous ditches and potholes on the highway are responsible for taking precious lives following fatal accidents. Most bikers and pedestrians have lost their lives during rainy season as most parts of the 15-km stretch of the highway get submerged in water.
The construction of Banarpal-Panchamahala bypass route is going on at a snail's pace for years. The flyovers are yet to be ready nor the bypass road, further delaying the purpose for which this has been proposed.
Why did not you write up about bypass, the condition is worse.
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