Massive traffic snarl brings NH-520 to a standstill in Odisha

Heavy traffic congestion paralysed National Highway 520 from Friday night, causing severe inconvenience to commuters and transporters. The traffic jam, from Rengalbeda in Koida of Sundargarh district to Guali in Keonjhar in Odisha, brought vehicular movement to a complete halt. Thousands of trucks loaded with mining materials, along with smaller vehicles, remain stranded on both sides of the road.

As per reports, the prolonged congestion disrupted emergency services, leaving ambulances and essential vehicles stuck for hours. Adding to the misery, thick clouds of dust rising from the road have made breathing difficult for stranded commuters. Many truck drivers, unable to move for hours, have reportedly gone without food or rest, leading to complaints of exhaustion and distress.

Commuters Struggle Amid Severe Jam

According to reports, the jam was so severe that even motorbikes struggled to navigate through the blocked stretch. 

Truck Drivers Voice Frustration

A truck driver said, “There is no value for our time. Traffic jams like this have become routine. We get stuck for over six hours almost every time this happens.”

Another driver shared, “I have been stranded here since 5 am. The queue hasn’t moved an inch since morning.”

Long-Standing Issue on Mining Route

The NH-520 stretch is a key mining route, frequently witnessing heavy truck movement from Sundargarh to Keonjhar. Locals allege that the lack of traffic management and poor road conditions have made such jams a recurring problem, demanding immediate intervention from authorities.