Koraput: To address frequent breakdowns of heavy vehicles and jams on the steep curves of Jeypore ghat road on NH-26, state govt has approved a plan to straighten the route near the temple between Jeypore and Koraput. However, the crucial project to ease travel has faced significant delays.
Superintending engineer of NH Jeypore division, Rabindra Kumar Behera, said, “Frequent vehicle breakdowns near the temple are causing traffic jams.

To ensure smooth flow of traffic, it was decided to straighten the road.”
“A professional technical team has already studied how the ghat’s curves can be redesigned for better traffic management,” he added.
The Koraput-Jeypore ghat road witnesses frequent accidents and prolonged traffic jams, sources said. Heavy vehicles often struggle to climb the steep curves, causing roadblocks for hours. Additionally, cutting down of trees on the hillsides for the proposed road triggered landslides during the monsoon, with large stones falling on the road, further endangering commuters.
Officials said the contract, worth Rs 6.35 crore, was awarded to a private construction company on Feb 20. The company was tasked to complete the work within a year. However, work is yet to commence, with only three months left to meet the deadline.
“Initially, a detailed project report (DPR) was prepared for a 1-km stretch of the road, later revised to 1.1 km and its approval is awaited. We are hopeful that work will begin soon,” said Behera.
The Koraput administration has imposed restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles on the road, in a bid to reduce traffic congestion and the risk of accidents.