Jajpur district Collector Chakravarti Singh Rathore has directed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to immediately repair a 40-km stretch of NH-53 which is in precarious condition.
The Collector has set a 15-day deadline for the repair of the portion between Duburi and Chandikhol. He swung into action while reviewing various road safety measures on NHs and State Highways passing through the district during a road safety committee meeting at the Collectorate on Thursday.
Earlier, the Collector had asked the NHAI to expedite the construction of over-bridges and underpasses along the NH stretch between Chandikhol and Sathipur to ensure completion of the projects by its stipulated timeframe. But the NH authorities have not paid any heed to timely completion of these works.Rathore expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work in this stretch and also sought explanation from the NHAI for the fault in erecting an over-bridge at Braja Nagar near Sathipur as locals have alleged faulty construction.
Besides, the Collector directed the NHAI, whose officials were present in the meeting, to conduct immediate repair of the stretch between Chaandikhol and Duburi within a fortnight.
Rathore also directed the Chandikhol and Jajpur RTOs to put signboards at several places along the NHs passing through the district for speed limits of the vehicles. He also asked the RTOs to take steps to manage the traffic at busy thoroughfares and markets. Jajpur SP Rahul PR was present at the meeting.