Puri: The 60 km long National Highway-316 from Puri to Bhubaneswar will be made obstruction-free free keeping in view a large number of visitors using the road every day.
This apart the administration is also expecting the arrival of lakhs of people to witness the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, his elder Lord Balabhadra and their sister Devi Subhadra, and the Suna Besha of the Lords.
Official sources said all the intersections and bazaar areas along the NH will be illuminated with high-mast lights while the electric poles will be relocated at least ten feet away from the road.
It was observed that many vehicles crash into the roadside power poles causing fatal injuries and even deaths.
This apart at every ten km distance CCTV cameras will be installed to monitor the movement of the vehicles along the road.
Encroachments along the NH are being removed and a massive road safety awareness campaign is on among all sections of people including students to minimise road accidents.
District Road Transport officer Robin Patnaik told newspersons that the district road safety committee has suggested several proposals to minimise road accidents and to stop crime on the highway.
He said the speed limits of different vehicles are being monitored and violators will be fined.
Patnaik said many of the suggestions of the District Road Safety Committee are being executed and are in the final stage.
He said CCTV camera installation work has been completed and this will help identify the vehicles crossing the advised speed limit while miscreants snatching ornaments and handbags from motorcyclists will be nabbed.
Lighting of all three bypass roads at Malatipatpur—Sterling Beach Road, Chandanpur, and Pipili bypass and two roads over bridges has been in progress and is expected to be completed before the Rath Yatra, Patnaik said.
UNI
