Koraput: According to reports, an accident occurred near Bridge No. 1 on the railway overbridge near Koraput Sadar Police Station on National Highway-26. A goods-laden trailer collided with the height restriction iron pillar, causing it to break. Fortunately, the overbridge itself remained undamaged, preventing a major accident. Had there been any structural damage, it could have led to rail traffic disruption and severe losses.
To prevent such incidents, height restriction barriers have been installed on both sides of railway underpasses, ensuring that vehicles exceeding a certain height cannot pass through. The Koraput railway track runs over National Highway-26, connecting Koraput Station to Jeypore, Jagdalpur, and Kirandul. This route is heavily used for transporting iron ore, with around 50 freight trains operating daily, in addition to four passenger trains. Even minor damage to this busy railway track could have disrupted rail operations and increased the risk of accidents.
Long-distance goods trucks and trailers often ignore height restrictions, carrying overloaded and excessively tall cargo, which frequently causes traffic congestion and blockages on roads.
The Railway Department, National Highway Authority, State Police, and Administration must take stringent measures to enforce traffic rules, create awareness, and impose strict penalties on violating vehicle owners and drivers to prevent such accidents in the future.