Bhubaneswar, Oct 14 (UDN): Former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to take urgent measures to improve road safety and resolve traffic congestion along National Highway-49 in Odisha’s Debagarh district.
Representational Image
In a letter to Gadkari, Pradhan highlighted the risks posed by heavy inter-state freight and passenger traffic on the highway, calling for structural interventions at accident-prone junctions and densely populated stretches.
He proposed three key measures aimed at improving traffic flow, protecting pedestrians and making daily travel safer for residents.
Flyover Proposed at Ambedkar Square
Pradhan stressed the need for an elevated flyover, a dedicated service road and an adequate highway lighting system at the Y-junction near Ambedkar Square, located at the beginning of the Debagarh bypass.
The junction experiences frequent traffic movement because major public institutions, including the Collectorate, New Bus Stand and Women’s College, are situated nearby. The mixing of fast-moving highway traffic with local vehicles and pedestrians has raised concerns over road safety.
Pradhan said suitable infrastructure at the junction was urgently needed to reduce traffic conflicts and improve movement through the area.
Underpass, Slip Road Sought at Birsamunda Square
The former Union Minister also called for the construction of an underpass and a slip road at Birsamunda Square to improve connectivity and minimise disruptions caused by highway traffic.
In addition, he sought the development of service roads, drainage systems and pedestrian-safety infrastructure in populated areas, including Kala, Kandhal and Tileibani.
These measures, he said, would help separate local traffic from through traffic and make road use safer for residents.
Appeal for Permanent Solutions
Sharing details of the letter on X, Pradhan said he had requested Gadkari’s intervention for better road infrastructure, enhanced safety measures and a lasting solution to traffic-related problems along NH-49 in Debagarh.
The proposed interventions are intended to address the challenges arising from heavy traffic movement while improving access to public institutions and essential services.
Pradhan’s appeal places the focus on long-term infrastructure improvements along the highway, particularly at busy junctions and inhabited stretches where highway traffic and local movement frequently intersect.