Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan urged Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari to initiate the construction of a bypass road around Rairakhol town in Sambalpur district.
He stressed that the project would ease traffic congestion and ensure safe commuting for residents.
In his letter to Gadkari, Pradhan highlighted a representation submitted by Rairakhol residents, supported by the Bar Association, Truck Owners Association, Senior Citizen Forum, and local journalists. They demanded a bypass outside the town limits to address growing traffic issues.
Pradhan pointed out that National Highway-55 is one of the busiest highways in the region. Moreover, Rairakhol has witnessed rapid infrastructure growth, with key government establishments such as the Sub-Divisional Office and Sub-Divisional Hospital, along with Bhima Bhoi Degree College, increasing public movement during office hours.
He further noted that heavy vehicles passing through narrow town roads, which are not designed for highway traffic, have caused frequent congestion. This situation poses serious risks of road accidents and creates inconvenience for students, patients, and senior citizens.
Emphasising the larger public interest, Pradhan requested Gadkari’s personal intervention and sought directions to the concerned authorities for the construction of a bypass around Rairakhol town.
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