NH-18 turns into Death Trap in Mayurbhanj

By Jaanakiballav Dash: Commuters witness harrowing experience while driving along the national highway number 18 (earlier NH-5) in Mayurbhanj district as it turned into a death trap zone due potholes. The ministry of transport has approved four lane highway of NH-5 Naharpatna to Jharpokharia in 2014 but people in the district are frustrated with the progress work of the highway.

The Ministry has proposed budget outlay of Rs.768 crore for this project, which has been longstanding demand of the people. The 7 km road between Remuna Naharpatna and Gaddeulia was completely damaged due to heavy vehicles ply. While driving on this national highway people feel jugging experience in their vehicles, thanks to potholes.

A similar experience one can witness while driving on anther NH patch from Damodarpur-Andhari- Kalabadia. On this highway the condition remains same – filled with potholes.

It is learnt that for the four-lanning of the national highway, officials need to being with identification process, they also need to demolish illegal encroachments and need to cut down as many as 25,000 trees.  And, the work is yet to be started by the authorities.

Despite approaching to officials for the repair of the damaged roads, the authorities have been allegedly not considering because of the proposed road expansion project. Officials said that the National Highway Authorities of India would float tenders in this regard.