Traffic chaos, accidents plague key road connecting Jatni and Bhubaneswar

Daily commuters on the National Highway-16 stretch connecting Talakheta Square in Jatni to Hari Bhaina Square continue to suffer as road expansion work remains stalled. 

Though the road survey was conducted six months ago for converting the narrow seven-meter-wide stretch into a four-lane road, the project file has yet to progress.

The 6-kilometer stretch serves as the main entry point to Jatni from Bhubaneswar and witnesses thousands of vehicles daily. However, due to its narrow width and absence of proper lighting, long traffic jams and frequent accidents have become a daily occurrence—especially in the evenings. 

Besides, the Luha Sankha canal further narrows the path, worsening the congestion.

Locals Demand Immediate Widening

Local residents, frustrated by the delays, have repeatedly demanded immediate road widening. “The widening of the road must be done immediately as thousands depend on this route,” said Kalinha Kumar Sahoo, a local.

Echoing the same, Akshay Kumar Samantaray, another local, said, “Many people, including students, teachers depend on this route. There are many instances when ambulances get trapped in the middle of the traffic. So, we request the government to take necessary action immediately.”

Expansion To Begin Soon

Authorities state that soon after the land acquisition is completed, the expansion work will begin. The District Collector has assured that the process will start soon while the local MLA confirmed that eviction drives along the roadside will start shortly.

“The widening of the work will commence soon; and, eviction drive will be carried out to facilitate the work,” Jatni MLA Bibhuti Bhusan Balabantaray said.

Chanchal Rana, Khordha collector said, “The land acquisition process is underway and the road widening work will start soon.”