9-km of NH repair delay proves to be a bane for commuters | Bhubaneswar News
Koraput: Prolonged delay in repair and widening of a 9-km stretch of NH-26 between Koraput and Sunabeda has made commuting difficult. Frequent traffic jams are experienced between Mohanpada and Landiguda with the situation worsening during Nor’wester rain. Bikers face hardships navigating the stretch often get drenched in the dust. “The slow pace of road repair has made the situation worse,” said Dibakar Hantal, a resident of Koraput.
According to a TOI inquiry, the Rs 31-crore road repair and widening project was started in Sept 2024 with a completion deadline set for March 2025. Despite some progress, there are potholes and craters in most parts of the road.
This is the only NH passing through the district, connecting Visakhapatnam and Raipur, and thousands of vehicles, including heavy ones, use the route daily. “Commuters are facing inconvenience due to inordinate delay in completion of the project. With just a week left until March, there is no sign of completion,” said Monaj Patnaik, a Sunabeda-based activist.
The situation worsened on Sunday evening when roadside mud slipped onto the road near Mohanpada following a Nor’wester leading to a 14-hour traffic jam. Over 400 vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road.
“The executing agency has been asked to expedite the work, and we are hopeful of completing it soon. However, the bridge near Mohanpada will be built after March. Its completion is expected by Sept,” said Soumajani Sethi, superintending engineer, NH division, Sunabeda.
According to a TOI inquiry, the Rs 31-crore road repair and widening project was started in Sept 2024 with a completion deadline set for March 2025. Despite some progress, there are potholes and craters in most parts of the road.
This is the only NH passing through the district, connecting Visakhapatnam and Raipur, and thousands of vehicles, including heavy ones, use the route daily. “Commuters are facing inconvenience due to inordinate delay in completion of the project. With just a week left until March, there is no sign of completion,” said Monaj Patnaik, a Sunabeda-based activist.
The situation worsened on Sunday evening when roadside mud slipped onto the road near Mohanpada following a Nor’wester leading to a 14-hour traffic jam. Over 400 vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road.
“The executing agency has been asked to expedite the work, and we are hopeful of completing it soon. However, the bridge near Mohanpada will be built after March. Its completion is expected by Sept,” said Soumajani Sethi, superintending engineer, NH division, Sunabeda.
