Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari to initiate urgent measures like construction of a flyover, underpass and service roads, besides adequate lighting to address rising traffic congestion and accident risks on National Highway-49 passing through Deogarh district.In a letter to Gadkari, Pradhan said NH-49 handles heavy interstate freight movement along with local traffic. He sought three major infrastructure interventions.Pradhan flagged the Y-junction near Ambedkar Square, located at the entry point of the Deogarh bypass, as a critical traffic zone. He said high-speed vehicles on NH-49 and heavy local movement near key institutions, including the collectorate, new bus stand and women’s college, have made the area prone to congestion and accidents. He requested the construction of an elevated flyover, a dedicated service road and adequate highway lighting at the junction.He also raised concerns over frequent accidents at Birsa Munda Square, where State Highway-21 on the Deogarh-Angul route merges with NH-49 near the town limits. The mixing of fast-moving highway traffic with local vehicles has made the junction highly vulnerable, he said. Pradhan proposed properly designed slip roads and a vehicle-friendly underpass to eliminate conflict points and improve traffic flow.The MP further highlighted safety concerns in rapidly urbanising settlements such as Kala, Kandhal and Tileibani, where increased residential activity has led to greater pedestrian and local vehicle movement on the highway. He sought service roads with roadside drains, pedestrian guardrails and highway lighting to separate local traffic from high-speed vehicles.Pradhan requested Gadkari to intervene personally and direct the National Highways Authority of India to approve the proposed works on priority.
