Roads in Odisha’s mining heartland turn into death traps; locals allege decades of neglect

In Odisha’s mineral heartland of Koida in Sundargarh district, roads meant to carry the promise of development have become corridors of chaos and suffering. Visuals of a muddy stretch of deep potholes, landslides, and traffic paralysis highlight the stretch meant to be a vital connection between mining zones and the outside world.

Sources reported that ground visuals from Tehrai to Kalamang and onward to Rugudi in Keonjhar lay bare the scale of the crisis. Shockingly, it takes hours to cross only five kilometres of road, especially during the monsoon when the path becomes impassable due to thick, slushy mud and water-filled craters.

With no pedestrian paths, ambush traffic jams, and even ambulances and school buses unable to pass, the so-called lifeline of the mining region has turned into a public hazard.

Locals say they’ve been pleading for repairs for over four decades, but their demands remain buried.

“Heavy vehicles belonging to the mines frequent this route and have damaged the roads completely. During rains, water from this muddy and polluted road enters our field and harms our crops,” said Saroj Behera, a Tehrai resident.

Thousands of Trucks, No Infrastructure

Sundargarh, known as Odisha’s mining capital, is home to thousands of tonnes of iron ore and manganese that travel through this belt every day.

Yet the infrastructure connecting Koida to Mithirda and Adaghat remains stuck in time. Vehicles navigating the stretch face axle-breaking potholes and hour-long delays, sometimes only to be pulled out by earth movers.

Even emergency services have fallen victim. A government ambulance recently sank into a deep pothole and had to be extracted using a machine after being stuck for over an hour.

“It’s a nightmare. There’s no way a school child or critical patient can travel safely here,” said Ashtami Behera, a daily commuter.

Unofficial Curfews, Economic Stagnation

Massive traffic snarls, fuelled by overloaded mining trucks, have led to what residents call ‘unofficial curfews.’ Goods vehicles, passenger cars, and even two-wheelers are regularly stuck for hours. At times, locals say the traffic jam stretches over 10 kilometres, severely impacting daily life and economic activities in the region, added reports.

A 40-Year Demand, Still Unheard

The call to rebuild the Tehrai–Kalamang–Rugudi Road is not new. Locals say they have been demanding a proper road for more than 40 years, especially as this stretch serves as the only arterial link for commerce, healthcare, education, and emergency services in this remote region.

Meanwhile, local MLA Laxman Munda of Bonai has acknowledged the crisis and promised to escalate the issue.