Expressing serious concern over rising traffic congestion and increasing road accidents on National Highway-49 (NH-49) passing through the Debagada district, Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has written a formal letter to the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, demanding urgent structural and safety interventions.
Highlighting that the highway experiences heavy interstate freight movement alongside dense local traffic, Pradhan emphasised the pressing need to safeguard local citizens and ensure smooth commuting. To address these concerns, he has proposed three major infrastructure solutions:
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Flyover at Ambedkar Chowk: Located at the start of the Debagada bypass, this high-speed Y-junction witnesses constant traffic congestion due to its proximity to the Collectorate, New Bus Stand, and Women’s College. Pradhan has urged the construction of an elevated flyover, complemented by a dedicated service road and proper highway lighting, to eliminate accident risks.
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Underpass at Birsamunda Chowk: Where NH-49 intersects with State Highway-21 (Debagada-Anugola Road) near the town limits, high-speed vehicles frequently clash with local traffic, creating a major accident-prone zone. The MP has proposed a well-organised slip road and a vehicular underpass to streamline traffic flow and prevent dangerous collisions.
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Service Roads in Kala, Kandhal, and Tileibani: With rapid urbanisation increasing residential populations in these areas, local pedestrian and vehicle movement on the highway has surged. Pradhan recommended the construction of service roads equipped with roadside drains, dedicated pedestrian guardrails, and highway lighting to separate local traffic from high-speed transit.
Concluding his appeal, Pradhan requested Gadkari to personally review these critical road safety requirements and issue directives to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to grant priority approvals in the larger interest of the people of Debagada.
