Jeypore: The fate of the proposed bypass road project here in Koraput district has become uncertain with the administration dragging its feet over acquisition of land for the purpose. Once completed, the bypss would be able to address the traffic snarls in this town.
The delay has also pushed back completion of Raipur-Visakhapatnam road, which is projected by NHAI as a freight corridor, said an official.
NHAI authorities have already published notification for construction of the bypass road but land acquisition is yet to be completed by the administration. The file pertaining to the acquisition is now lying at the land acquisition office after gathering dust for long at the collectorate. It is apprehended that the bypass project might not see the light of day.
According to reports, Chhattisgarh’s Jagadalpur-based National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) would transport its materials to the Vizag port of Andhra Pradesh via Koraput district of the state. NHAI is converting the stretch from Raipur to Vizag into a freight corridor by constructing a four-lane road. For this, survey has been completed.
According to an assessment, the proposed bypass road under Road and Building department of the state government, if handed over to the NHAI, would be part of the corridor. The 4.94 km bypass road with acquisition of about 73 acre of government and private land will also help ease the growing traffic problems in Jeypore town. Land belonging of 121 private individuals would be acquired for the project.
Meanwhile, the authorities have finalised to pay Rs 27.96 crore to the people who would lose their land for the project.
NHAI would float tender for the road project only after acquisition of land, an official said, adding, the district administration is showing no urgency in this regard.
On the other hand, people of Jeypore town are having a harrowing time due to traffic congestion and growing incidents of road mishaps on the NH-26 that passes through the heart of the city.
When contacted, NHAI executive engineer Ajay Mahalik said there would be no delay in publication of tender once the administration hands over the acquired land to NHAI.
