Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for immediate construction of a bypass road around Rairakhol town in Odisha’s Sambalpur district, citing severe traffic congestion and escalating road safety risks on National Highway-55 (NH-55).
In the letter, Dharmendra pointed out that NH-55, a key corridor linking Sambalpur to Cuttack via Rairakhol, handles a massive volume of heavy vehicles daily, overwhelming the town’s narrow roads and leading to frequent jams and accidents. The situation worsens during office hours as several government offices, hospitals and educational institutions, including Bhima Bhoi Degree College, are located within the town limits, he said.
The Union Minister, who is an MP from Sambalpur, also stressed the hardships of students, patients, and elderly residents due to movement of heavy vehicles through residential and institutional areas.
He mentioned receiving representations from local stakeholders, including Rairakhol Bar Association, truck owners’ association, senior citizens’ forum, and journalists, who have advocated for a bypass for years.
Locals proposed a bypass as early as 2016 during NH-55’s four-laning discussions, fearing damage to town structures and increased hazards from expanded traffic.
Highlighting rapid urban growth in Rairakhol and public safety concerns, Dharmendra called for swift action from authorities to develop the bypass outside town limits. He expressed confidence that the initiative would significantly reduce accidents, decongest the town and provide long-term relief to residents.
The NH-55, spanning approximately 265 km, remains vital for Odisha’s connectivity but has faced criticism for delays in upgrades and persistent bottlenecks in urban segments like Rairakhol.
