Former Finance Minister and senior BJD leader Prafulla Chandra Ghadai has strongly objected to the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry's decision not to execute the proposed four-laning of 133-km Chandikhole-Talcher road fully and limit the work to Bhuban in Dhenkanal district only.
In a letter to Union Minister for Road Transport Oscar Fernandes, Ghadai said in view of increased heavy traffic on the Chandikhole-Talcher road, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had in 2011approved the proposal for four-laning of the National Highway (200) from Chandikhole to Talcher. The road passes through Kalinga Nagar Industrial Complex and connects Paradip Port with mineral rich Keonjhar district. Besides, it also connects Nalco, Talcher collieries and Talcher fertiliser plant (FCI). In the east, it touches National Highway (5), thereby establishing a vital link with the Dhamra Port.
"A large number of vehicles, including small and 10-12-wheelers, ply on the Chandikhole-Talcher road which leads to traffic rush and often results in recurring accidents, claiming precious human lives. I regret that the Union Surface Transport Ministry in its last April meeting has decided to reduce the four-laning proposal to Bhuban instead of Talcher. I regret that instead of going for tender and engaging an agency to execute the work, the Ministry has gone for such poor decision," Ghadei said in the letter.
The distance from Chandikhole to Bhuban is 60 km which means the 73 km of road from Bhuban to Talcher would be deprived of the four-laning expansion, he said. The former FM forwarded a copy of the letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requesting him to take up the matter with the Centre.
Ghadai had earlier submitted a memorandum to former Union Minister CP Joshi, requesting him to look into the four-laning proposal. This had led to approval of the proposal by the CCEA in 2011.