In view of traffic remaining jammed most of the time on the road connecting the Gopalpur Port in Ganjam district, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has agreed to provide funds for construction of an alternative road (bypass) to ease the congestion.
With the Gopalpur Port becoming functional and vehicles moving in a big number, people are facing tough time on the National Higway-516 connecting the National Highway-16.
At a meeting held here recently, it was decided that the State Government would provide land for the alternative road and the Ministry funds. The decision has come as a great relief for the people who commute on the 5.35-km stretch of the NH-516 connecting NH-16 at Gopalpur.
The stretch also crosses railway line to the Indian Rare Earth at two different places.
While the MoRTH has sanctioned Rs 163.65 crore for construction of two road over-bridges (ROBs), work has not yet started. However, surveys said that the ROBs will not serve the purpose of easing congestion on the road and suggested for an alternative road of 4.5 km constructed from NH-16 at DRDA Office at Chhatrapur to Gopalpur Port.
The new alternate road would by-pass all the affected villages, and construction of ROBs would not be required, opined engineers.
Of 65 acres of land required, 42 acres belonged to State Government, said sources.
