Cuttack: Admitting a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) at Pipilia Square in the Ghatgaon block of Keonjhar district, the Orissa High Court directed the Union and the state governments to respond.
A division bench of Chief Justice Vineet Saran and Justice B.R. Sarangi pronounced the order Wednesday.
The PIL was filed by Pipilia Anchalika Bikash Mancha president Ugrasena Nayak and seven of its members. They said the area near Pipilia Square on National Highway 215 has turned into a death trap. Although there was growing demand for the construction of an over bridge at the spot, the authorities have not yet taken a decision. Residents of 30 villages use this route every day risking their lives, the PIL said, adding that there were educational institutions, banks, government offices and markets along the road.
The Pipilia Anchalika Bikash Mancha had written to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) seeking construction of ROBs and underpasses at seven places including Pipilia. Though underpasses were built at four places, Pipilia had been excluded from NHAI’s plan. As a result, the lives of eight students were lost in mishaps, the PIL pointed out.
The organisation informed the court that the place had heavy traffic due to the presence of the Tarini shrine, Sitabinjh (a tourist spot), Sitabinjh railway station and Kendujhar town. The petitioners urged the HC to direct the Centre and NHAI to take steps to construct a ROB at Pipilia Square.
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