By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: ‘During last 2 years, as many as 399 accidents have taken place causing 196 fatalities and there is a public agitation and discontent among the people for inordinate delay in completion of the road work,’ Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Union Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari citing the state of affairs of NH-55, which is lifeline for western Odisha people.
Chief Minister Patnaik has written to Union Road Transport and Highways, Minister Gadkari while expressing his displeasure over the delay in up-gradation work of NH-55 Cuttack-Angul-Sambalpur Section in the State.
Patnaik argued that the work started in 2017 and 5 years passed so far, no major progress has been made. ‘During last 2 years, as many as 399 accidents have taken place causing 196 fatalities and there is a public agitation and discontent among the people for inordinate delay in completion of the road work,’ CM Patnaik wrote adding NH-55 is lifeline for western Odisha people.
“I would like to draw your attention to the fact that rehabilitation and up-gradation work of Cuttack-Angul-Sambalpur section of NH-55 from Km.0.400 to Km, 265.000 to 4 lane carriageway is being carried out by NHAI since 2017 and it is a matter of great concern that even after more than 5 years, up gradation work is yet to be completed,’ CM Patnaik mentioned in his letter to Union Minister Gadkari.
‘’It is worth mentioning that the concern of State Government on this count has been also been communicated to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways earlier. Progress of the instant project is being reviewed with the regional authorities of NHAI at regular intervals but no satisfactory outcome is visible,’ the letter added.
