The Brahmapur BJP submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari demanding inclusion of various roads under BRT Scheme and reconsideration of the proposed closure of local National High Way Authority of India (NHAI) Office.
Due to lack of proper and adequate communication facilities like road and rail connectivity between Brahmapur and the remaining parts of the south and western Odisha, people of tribal and underdeveloped regions like Kandhamal, Balangir and Koraput are forced to migrate to neighbouring States like Chhatishgarah and Andhra Pradesh to earn their livelihood, the memorandum pointed out.
Besides, poor communication link is the main impediment for uniform growth in south Odisha and leads to naxalism, the memorandum claimed.
At this juncture, when a number of existing roads of northern and western Odisha are being handed over to NHAI for their widening and upgrading under various Central Government schemes, but unfortunately, not a single project of south Odisha has been considered under BRT scheme to upgrade and connect the backward regions with the centrally located places, the memorandum alleged.
The party pointed out that under Bharat Mala Projects instead of starting the road from Putti Sonepur which is having a beautiful sea beach near famous temple Maa Sidha Bhairavi, the Project Chatrapur to Digha has been conceptualized.
Similarly, NH-59 which connects Brahmapur to Raipur is passing through around 18 km long narrow and busy roads of Brahmapur town giving rise to unprecedented traffic congestion and accidents.
These 18 km-long narrow road which passes through the silk city should be handed over to NAHI not only for its upgradation and widening, but also for its early execution since the road will play a lead role for the growth of Gopalpur port besides connecting Raipur city, the memorandum said.
The memorandum also alleged that the proposed six-lane 200 km long road from Icchhapuram (AP) to Bhubaneswar which is a part of Golden Quadrilateral project has considerably been delayed while the remaining part of the road has already been widened to six lane or more to meet the demands of the locality.
However, construction of some more flyovers and service roads are highly essential in this section of road in order to prevent traffic congestion and the increasing trend of accidents, the memorandum said.
Expressing concern of the party over the proposed closure of the NHAI office at Brahmapur, the memorandum questioned as to how the NHAI office which was monitoring the construction, execution, development, up-gradation, and implementation of various projects in this part of the State is proposed to be closed causing a setback to the growth of high way communication in this underdeveloped, backward, and tribal dominated region.
The party also requested Gadakari to take steps for expeditious implementation of various pending and upcoming projects of the region which include handing over the construction/execution work of bypass (NH-59) passing through Brahmapur Town to NHAI and early execution of Bharat Mala Project by NHAI starting from Putti Sonepur instead of Chatrapur to have better facilities for Gopalpur port.
Among other demands, the party also urged Gadakari for inclusion of certain roads such as Brahmapur to Malkanagiri via KB line, Brahmapur to Phulbani, Brahmapur to Surangi, Brhampur to Rayagada via Paralakhemundi and Gunupur, quick execution of six lane project along with provision of new flyovers one each at Haladiapadar, Jagannathpur Junction, Chatrapur Bypass near DRDA Office and Chatrapur College, Rambha bypass, Sanaghati at Khallikote, underpass at Keshpur, Bhejiput and langaleswar and construction of proper service roads between Haladapadar to Chatrapur under the BRT scheme.