Khurda: Due to big potholes and rough patches, the National Highway - 16 and 57 in Khurda district have turned into a death trap for commuters passing through the stretch.
According to reports, the Khurda-Berhampur NH-16 near Kuradhamala is filled with large potholes giving a tough time to drivers. Even someone finds it difficult to gauge the depth of potholes filled with rainwater, posing a serious threat to the lives of people.
“The road in the area is in an extremely bad condition. At least seven people per day fall on the road due to the potholes. The risk of mishaps increases during night hours,” alleged Dilip Kumar Behera, a local
Behera further alleged, “Despite repeated complaints, the concerned authorities are just filling the potholes with soil which gets washed away during a short spell of rain. Officials are yet to find a permanent solution.”
Similarly, a 10-feet ditch has formed on one side of the NH-16 at Dadhimachhagadia Chhak in Khurda and a little bit of carelessness by commuters can turn fatal.
The road condition is not much different on NH-57 connecting Khurda and Bolangir. Big potholes on the route force travellers to suffer and risk their lives.
“A huge ditch has developed on the road, but there is no signboard to alert commuters about the pothole. If the administration is not repairing the road due to rainy season, it should at least install boards directing riders to drive slowly,” said another local Manas Kumar Barisal.
“We are arranging road safety meetings every month. We have made many proposals to rectify the problems in road engineering and identify the black spots. The concerned authorities have already been directed to repair the potholes and we will again give them reminders to take up the work at the earliest,” informed Collector of Khurda, Nirmal Chandra Mishra