Jeypore: The NH road from Jeypore to Koraput passes through a 4 km ghat section where frequent accidents, both minor and major, have been reported. Due to the sharp curves, heavy vehicles carrying long and heavy loads often meet with accidents. Keeping this in view, a proposal was made to straighten the curves of the ghat by cutting a section of the hill. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared, which recommended cutting the hill and constructing a 1,200-meter stretch of road. A tender was invited for the work.
The National Highways Authority identified the long curves in the ghat section and proposed straightening them. According to the engineers’ proposal, the estimated cost of the 1,200-meter road project was ₹7 crore, and a tender was invited. A Hyderabad-based company, M/S Associates, was awarded the contract. The contract was signed on March 13, 2024, and the construction work was expected to be completed by March 15, 2024. However, due to the delay in obtaining permission from the Forest Department to cut trees, the contractor was unable to start work.
After 11 months of delay, the process of identifying the number of trees to be cut began. On the 21st of the month, the identification process was completed. Currently, it has been determined that 170 trees will need to be cut for the road construction. However, completing the work within the contractual 20-day period is considered impossible.
The delay in the project has raised concerns among officials, including Koraput District Collector V. Keerthi Vasan. In a December 2024 meeting, he expressed concerns and urged the National Highways Authority to start the work immediately. The Forest Department has identified the trees to be cut and informed the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). According to the Regional Forest Officer, Sachidananda Parida, permission will be granted to cut trees with a trunk diameter of one foot or more, but smaller trees will not be allowed to be removed.
A National Highways Authority engineer, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that permission issues for cutting smaller trees remain unresolved. Meanwhile, no official response has been received from the Executive Engineer of the National Highways Authority regarding the project’s progress.