Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday urged Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to accord the necessary administrative and financial approvals for three highway infrastructure proposals in Odisha.
In a letter to Gadkari, Pradhan sought the upgradation of the Sambalpur-Angul-Cuttack National Highway corridor from four lanes to six lanes, along with two-lane service roads on both sides.
He said the corridor connects western Odisha with major industrial, commercial and urban centres and is witnessing increasing passenger, freight, mining and industrial traffic.
Pradhan also sought approval for the construction of four underpasses on the Angul-Sambalpur section of NH-55 at Jindal Road, Jarapada, Jeranga and Charmal.
The underpasses have been proposed by PIU Sambalpur as long-term road safety measures, he said, citing the heavy movement of mining and commercial vehicles and their interaction with local traffic and pedestrians.
The MP also requested the construction of a flyover at Sambalpur City Railway Station Square on NH-53, saying the location poses a road safety concern as railway passengers have to cross the busy highway.
The location has also been identified as a potential black spot, according to the letter.
Pradhan requested the ministry and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to take up the three proposals on a priority basis.
He said the projects would improve road safety, ease passenger and freight movement, and strengthen connectivity in the region.
