Chhatrapur: Even though two years have elapsed since the approval of the expansion work for the Puintola-Girisola stretch on National Highway (NH)-16, passing through Ganjam district, the project has hit roadblocks due to land acquisition issues, said sources. The expansion of the stretch from Puintala to Girisola was excluded initially from the NH project, but the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) had to decide in favour of it due to huge demand by the locals, who had alleged that lack of expansion of the NH was causing frequent mishaps.
Meanwhile, locals expressed their resentment as the work is yet to begin even after two years of the approval of the project by the NHAI. Moreover, the work from Puintala to Narayani Chhak is yet to be completed, said sources. According to project details, flyovers were also planned to come up at Chhatrapur DRDA Chhak, Lanjipalli and Pukudibandha Chhak, while underpasses were proposed to be built at Kalia Bali and Haladiapadar Chhak. Though NHAI had earlier said that tenders were finalised and construction would start by the end of 2023, the work is yet to commence. In December 2023, the then Berhampur MP Chandrasekhar Sahu raised the issue in Lok Sabha, expressing concern over the undue delay in the NH expansion work. Former Chhatrapur MLA Subash Chandra Behera had also raised the issue with NH authorities several times.
Moreover, MLA Krishna Chandra Nayak has also drawn the attention of the NHAI in this connection, but to no avail. Sources said the delay in construction is partly due to private land acquisition issues. Expansion of Puintola Girisola stretch of NH-16 was necessary as the existing narrow stretch has caused several fatal accidents and the issue was also raised in the district road safety committee meetings. This stretch has at least 10 black spots, as identified by NHAI. Meanwhile, an ongoing dispute has halted the Galashankha construction on the Puintola-Narayani stretch of the NH at Humma. This has led to frequent mishaps and traffic issues, said sources.
