Koraput: The Koraput administration has temporarily closed the main road leading to Deomali hill — the Kunduli–Deomali ghat road — to enable widening of a 3.5 km hill section.
The closure took effect from Sunday as a safety precaution to prevent accidents and ensure smooth execution of the project.
Visitors planning to travel to Deomali are advised to take the alternate 23 km Semiliguda–Dudhari route. Clear signboards and diversion indicators have been installed at all key junctions to guide travellers to the alternative route and minimise inconvenience.
Heavy machinery is currently deployed on the ghat section for the road expansion work. The existing 20-foot-wide road is being expanded to more than 50 feet to handle the heavy year-round tourist traffic.
According to officials, the work is expected to be completed by mid-December. The project once completed will not only enhance accessibility to the highest peak in Odisha but also make the journey significantly smoother and safer, especially during peak tourist season.
Famous for its panoramic views and vast grasslands, the hill attracted close to 4.8 lakh tourists in 2024.
