Residents of Beheramal of Jharsuguda town held a two-hour road blockade on Tuesday in protest against dust emissions of under-construction NH-49 in front of the Durga temple. During the blockade, vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road.
The problem is all because of the widening of the road as the contractors executing the project have allegedly been violating norms with impunity. Environmentalist Ram Naresh Naik said there is a provision of sprinkling water on the road so that dust gets settled down, but the contractors do not do it just to make money.
After NH officials reached the road blockade spot with the Jharsuguda town police and assured of regular sprinkling of water and affirmation of meeting other demands relating to dislocation of electric poles and cutting of trees before pitch work, the blockade was withdrawn.