Baripada: A large number of trucks and other vehicles have reportedly been stranded on National Highway No. 40 in Bangiriposi ghat in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district for the last four days following a massive traffic jam.
According to sources, several stranded trucks are stated to be carrying essential commodities to different destinations. However, the vehicles are unable to proceed because of the traffic jam on a stretch of around 13 km on the highway.
Locals said commuters are also facing a tough time on the highway due to the traffic jam, reportedly caused by the breakdown of three vehicles on the mountainous road. Delay in the arrival of crane to undertake restoration work at the site made the situation worse, they said.
Stuck on the highway, the drivers and staff of the stranded trucks are reportedly surviving by cooking and consuming food inside the vehicles. Many of them are without water. Absence of network connectivity also added to their woes.
Moreover, blasts were reportedly carried out at several locations on the hilly road, causing the deposition of rocks at different places. These are yet to be cleared., All these have reportedly been delaying the restoration work to ensure normal vehicular movement.
Some people have taken to social media and also posted videos of the traffic jam on ‘X’ seeking help from the government.
Senior officials were not immediately available for comment.