Side effects of elevated corridor work: Traffic pain for Sambalpur

EVEN as the proposed elevated corridor work in Sambalpur is underway in full swing, the construction on NH-53 near Ainthapali has led to traffic diversions, creating safety hazards for commuters.

- MAYANK BHUSAN PANI @Sambalpur

The diversion of heavy vehicles onto the service road, coupled with inadequate traffic management, has turned the stretch into a high-risk zone, especially during night.

The six-lane elevated corridor, being constructed to ease congestion, will have a width of 14.5 meters and a total length of 3.44 km, including a 1.2 km flyover section. The Ainthapali area experiences heavy traffic congestion due to its location where the Sambalpur-Rourkela Biju Expressway and the road leading to Sambalpur airstrip at Jamadarpali converge with NH-53 at two separate crossroads. Additionally, the presence of a bus terminus near Ainthapali adds to the traffic load, with around 300 buses passing through the area daily.