Sambalpur: Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday urged Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to take immediate steps for the repair and maintenance of National Highway-55, which connects Sambalpur with Anugola and Kataka.
In a letter to Gadkari, Pradhan sought his personal intervention to expedite repair work on the highway, particularly at stretches affected by potholes. He highlighted the deteriorating condition of the road and the difficulties being faced by commuters and goods carriers.
Pradhan said incessant rainfall and heavy vehicular movement had resulted in the formation of large potholes at several places along NH-55. The damaged stretches have disrupted the movement of passenger and freight vehicles and raised concerns over road safety.
He also highlighted the importance of NH-55 as a key transport corridor connecting western Odisha with the coastal region. The highway is crucial for the movement of people and the transportation of essential goods between the two regions.
Urging immediate intervention, Pradhan asked Gadkari to ensure that maintenance and repair work is taken up on a priority basis along the affected stretches. He said timely repairs would help restore smooth traffic movement and ensure safer travel for commuters.
“Due to incessant rainfall and excessive vehicular movement, large potholes have developed at various places along the highway, causing serious difficulties for the movement of passenger and goods vehicles,” Pradhan said in a post on X.
