Chandikhole: The rising number of accidents at Chandikhole square despite regular field visits and several meetings by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and district administration officials has become a matter of concern here in Jajpur district.
The number of accidents at the square rose to 17 in the last one year, while two persons were killed in two accidents last month, reports said.
Earlier, a meeting to study the reason for the increasing accidents at the square, where three National Highways crisscross each other, was held September 10.
While Jajpur Superintendent of Police (SP), Charan Singh Meena presided over the meeting, officials of NHAI, local MLA Amar Prasad Satpathy, tehsildar, Barchana IIC, traffic police officers and members of several local organisations also took part in the meeting.
Barchana IIC Sarat Chandra Patra proposed setting up of automatic traffic signal system, sign marks near the National Highway (NH) and speed breakers near the square.
The SP directed the officials of NHAI to implement the proposals at the meeting. As per the orders of SP, the NHAI officials visited the square and held discussions with the members of various local clubs and associations September 15.
After the visit, they assured the locals that the proposals would be implemented within a week.
15 days have been passed after the visit of the officials, but not a single step has been taken, locals alleged. The traffic square is unmanned most of the time, causing trouble for the commuters.
When contacted, Barchana IIC said the proposals have been given to NHAI for implementation. Sishu Mohan, project director, NHAI, said SJPL has been awarded the contract to execute the proposals and the work would be carried out soon.
Locals complained that the inordinate delay in the completion of the proposed project has prolonged the problem of bad roads and traffic congestion in and around Chandikhole.
PNN