10-Km Road from Biju Expressway to NH-353 in Dilapidated Condition; Tourists, Students and Patients Worst Affected

Boden: 16/06 The condition of the main road connecting Tangaripada on the Biju Expressway in Karlakote area of Boden Block, Nuapada district, to National Highway-353 via the Tikhali Lower Indra Irrigation Project has deteriorated significantly. With the road surface badly damaged and large potholes emerging due to the worn-out metal layer, commuting has become increasingly hazardous. Local residents have urged the authorities to undertake immediate repair work before the onset of the monsoon season. According to reports, the Tikhali Lower Indra Irrigation Project, situated between Khariar and Komna blocks, has emerged as a popular tourist destination. Hundreds of vehicles use this route every day, while a large number of visitors travel to the site for sightseeing and picnics. However, the poor condition of the road has made travel difficult and uncomfortable for commuters and tourists alike. The road serves as a vital link connecting the Biju Expressway to Komna and Khariar through Tikhali. It also connects the Tikhali Project with NH-353 near Sanmaheswar, making it an important transportation corridor. The route further facilitates travel to Boden, Sinapali, Dharmagarh, Nabarangpur and Koraput regions. Students from villages such as Karlakote, Kireikhola, Tangaripada, Boloda, Jharanamal, Rajna, Khaira and Amera depend on this road to reach their schools and colleges. Residents also expressed concern that emergency medical services, including ambulances, often face difficulties reaching the area due to the road’s poor condition. Particularly, the approximately 5-kilometre stretch between Tikhali and Tangaripada has become severely damaged. The road surface has worn away, leaving deep potholes that have reportedly led to frequent minor accidents. Residents have therefore demanded immediate repair and renovation of the nearly 10-kilometre road stretch connecting the Biju Expressway with NH-353 before the monsoon arrives. They warned that if timely action is not taken, transportation could be severely disrupted during the rainy season, while the risk of accidents may increase further. The issue has become a major concern among local residents, who are calling for urgent intervention from the concerned authorities.