Conflicting speed limits on Bhubaneswar–Puri NH results in confusion & challans

Motorists travelling on the Bhubaneswar–Puri National Highway are facing confusion and penalties due to contradictory speed limits displayed along NH-316.

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While the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has prescribed one set of speed limits, the Puri district administration has installed separate signboards indicating lower speeds within the same stretch.

As a result, drivers passing through the NH are unsure whether to follow the NHAI norms or the district administration’s instructions. Those failing to match the enforced limit are being penalised through speed-monitoring cameras installed along the route.

The issue is clearly visible near Pipili toll gate, where motorists first encounter a signboard issued by the district administration fixing the speed limit at 50 kmph for bikes and heavy vehicles and 70 kmph for cars. A short distance ahead, NHAI signboards permit speeds of 60 kmph for bikes and trucks and 80 kmph for cars.

This inconsistency has led to several motorists receiving challans, with some others allegedly paying fines as high as Rs 15,000. Many drivers say the uncertainty has made them anxious about driving on the highway.

Officials attribute the situation to a lack of coordination. The NHAI has stated that only it is authorised to install speed-limit signage on national highways and claimed it was unaware of the district-installed boards.

Besides, the state Transport Department has said it has written to NHAI seeking corrective action, assuring that changes will be made soon to resolve public confusion.

“Speed limit on the national highways that pass through urban or municipal areas will be lower. The notification in this regard was issued in 2021. Since there are two different boards with two different things (speed-limit instructions), it has created confusion,” STA Additional Commissioner, Dipti Ranjan Patra, said to OTV when contacted.

Reported By: Soumya Ranjan Sahoo, Swati Jena, Dwitikrushna Patnaik