Over 250 accidents, 50 fatalities in two years on ‘killer’ highway in Odisha; govt apathy alleged

The Bangiriposi Ghat road (National Highway-49) in Mayurbhanj is now being termed a ‘killer road’ due to the increasing number of accidents and fatalities on the highway. Reportedly, over 250 accidents have occurred here in the last two years, leaving more than 100 injured and over 50 dead.

The condition of the Bangiriposi Ghat road is so poor that people fear traveling through it. Known as the lifeline of Mayurbhanj, this road witnessed the death of six people in January this year when a truck carrying members of one ‘Dhauli Gananatya’ fell off the ghat road.

Sights of mangled remains overturned trucks or vehicles fallen into deep valleys are some of the first sights that travellers witness while passing through NH-49 at Bangiriposi. Narrow lanes make the road extremely dangerous, leading to frequent accidents.

ALSO READ: Double Tragedy! Accident victim’s grieving family gets looted in Odisha

“Those traveling through the road every day also have a persistent fear due to its condition,” said a local. Additionally, the lack of proper barricading, signboards marking frequent accident zones, and the risk of constant erosion give no less than a nightmare to commuters.

However, the Bangiriposi Ghat road still witnesses heavy traffic comprising buses, trucks, ambulances, and private vehicles since it is the only major connection to Mayurbhanj.

“All the vehicles use this road but anyone will feel fearful just by looking at its condition. Rather, many will be astonished to see that such a dangerous road does not have any safety barricading,” said another local.

The 9-kilometer stretch cutting through the hills requires immediate widening. Although repair work has started, progress is painfully slow, causing frustration and fear among locals.

Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister, Krishna Chandra Mohapatra expressed strong dissatisfaction over the state of the road and has pressed national highway officials and project directors to expedite the work.

ALSO READ: Rourkela-Murshidabad bus rams into rock on Bangiriposi ghat, over 20 passengers injured

Meanwhile, the Mayurbhanj district collector, Hemkanta Saye has assured that repairs work will be completed soon. “ Repair work had started but owing to landslides, we had to halt the work. We will take steps including closing and repairing one lane at a time as well as arranging alternate routes (during road closure),” Saye detailed the repair plan.