Biramitrapur (Sundaragada): Normal life was disrupted in Biramitrapur town of Sundaragada district on Tuesday as residents and various local organisations observed a 12-hour bandh demanding immediate repair of the badly damaged NH-143 stretch from Talsara to the Jharkhand border.
The bandh began at 6 am and is scheduled to continue till 6 pm. Protesters blocked roads at several key points in the town, affecting vehicular movement and causing inconvenience to commuters.
Emergency services, including ambulances, fire service vehicles and vehicles of the electricity department, were allowed to operate during the shutdown.
The bandh was supported by the Odisha Driver Mahasangha, Biramitrapur Auto Association, other local organisations and residents. The protesters alleged that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has failed to take concrete steps to repair the highway despite repeated demands.
The Talsara-Jharkhand stretch of NH-143 has reportedly been in a poor condition, with several portions of the road severely damaged and riddled with deep potholes. Locals said the deteriorating road condition has made commuting difficult and increased the risk of accidents.
“People in Biramitrapur are facing serious problems because of the poor condition of the road. Several stretches between Talsara and Jharkhand have been completely damaged. There are potholes around two to three feet deep and accidents are happening almost every day. The condition of the road has become dangerous for commuters,” said local resident Bikram Pattnaik.
Residents also alleged that the poor road condition has affected daily life in the town. During the rainy season, waterlogging and damaged stretches make movement difficult, while during dry weather, dust from the road creates problems for residents and commuters.
Another resident, Sashi Sagar, said the locals had earlier approached the district administration seeking immediate action.
“We had reported the matter to the Collector and given five days for action. However, even after five days, no steps were taken. We were therefore forced to observe a 12-hour bandh. People are facing difficulties due to the damaged roads. During rains, it becomes difficult to move out, while in dry weather, dust spreads across the area,” Sagar said.
The protesters demanded immediate repair and restoration of NH-143 and urged the NHAI to take urgent steps to improve the condition of the highway.
They also sought intervention from the district administration to ensure that repair work is taken up without further delay.
At the time of filing this report, there was no immediate response from NHAI officials or the local administration to the allegations raised by the protesters.
