Keonjhar: Keonjhar Collector Ashish Thakare has issued notice to the Chief General Manager (CGM) and regional office of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to undertake the repairing work of deteriorated National Highway - 215 and 49 on a war footing.
Both the National Highways, known as the lifelines of Keonjhar are in deteriorating conditions causing waterlogging due to rain. The poor state of the roads is posing grave threats to the motorists with the locals reporting serious accidents and causalities.
“The roads are in a dangerous condition. Many drivers have lost their lives in severe accidents. We have also staged protests several times, but they are of no avail,” a truck driver said.
“It is very tough to drive on these roads, which have completely deteriorated. It requires urgent attention,” another truck driver said.
Thakre has also warned in the letter to NHAI authorities of legal action if the repairing work will not be undertaken immediately.
“Despite informing the NHAI authorities about the poor state of the roads several times, no action has been taken yet. Henceforth the authorities will be responsible if further accidents take place along the road and legal action will be taken against them,” the letter by the Collector read.
“More than 95 percent of the accidents and causalities are occurring on the National Highways because of their deplorable conditions. We have pursued the NH authorities to finish the repairing work in time. We hope that after getting the letter, the authorities will step forward,” Thakare said.