Sambalpur: Street Lights at Ainthapali Chowk Remain Unreliable; Service Road in Darkness, Accident Risk Increases

Overbridge Construction Disrupts Traffic

Sambalpur: The ongoing construction of an overbridge from Sarlakani to Panchagochhia Square has led to major traffic disruptions. Due to this, the main road from Ainthapali Chowk to the TPWODL office remains closed. All heavy vehicles are now using the service road, making nighttime travel extremely dangerous.

Non-Functional Street Lights Increase Risk

To make matters worse, the street lights at Ainthapali Chowk and along the service road are not working. For a long time, these lights have been unreliable, but no permanent solution has been implemented. As a result, the area is pitch dark at night, creating a high risk of accidents.

Locals Express Fear and Frustration

A hospital worker returning home at 10 PM shared his frightening experience. He said, “One truck after another kept approaching at high speed. The road was so dusty that I couldn’t see anything. I had to stop my bike at the roadside to avoid an accident. If I hadn’t, I might not have survived.” Many other workers from the Bareipali industrial area also face similar challenges while returning home late at night.

Traffic Jams and Dust Make the Situation Worse

The 2-kilometer stretch of the service road, which should take a few minutes to cross, now takes more than 20 minutes due to heavy traffic. The dust clouds raised by speeding trucks make visibility even worse, and the complete darkness makes it nearly impossible to see ahead. Locals are demanding that the authorities urgently repair the street lights and regularly sprinkle water on the service road to control dust.

Flyover Construction and Future Plans

A 6-lane flyover, spanning 3.5 kilometers, is under construction at Ainthapali, costing Rs. 374 crore. This project aims to ease traffic congestion by allowing vehicles from Bargarh and Deogarh to bypass the crowded intersections. According to NHAI Sambalpur, once completed, the flyover will significantly reduce the chances of accidents at Ainthapali Chowk. The bridge will be supported by pillars, with a dedicated service road underneath for local traffic.

Urgent Action Needed

Until the flyover is completed, the current situation remains dangerous. Authorities must immediately restore street lighting and take steps to manage traffic and dust pollution. Residents hope for quick action before more accidents occur.