ROURKELA: With the NH-215 road stretch passing through the mineral-rich Koida block of Sundargarh district developing huge potholes, the public transport system has been badly hit.Owing to the public inconvenience, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has come under severe criticism by industries and the CPM.Source said the 12-km stretch from Kalta-Rengalbeda via Koida has become non-motorable for small vehicles. Only heavy mineral-laden vehicles manage to ply. The 40-km stretch from Rajamunda to Kalta is in no better condition as the existing potholes on the highway have developed into waist-deep craters. Rains have only aggravated the situation. In the last three days, bus services to Koida have been suspended due to the road condition. Sources said the repair work of the dilapidated Rajamunda-Kalta stretch took three years to complete in 2010. However, the situation is back to square one following rains this year. Sundargarh Collector Rupa Roshan Sahu said for the time being the administration has decided to restrict heavy vehicles and expedite repair works. Citing technical issues with the National Highway Division (NHD), the NHAI is shying away from repair work. A meeting has been slated for September 3 to sort out differences between NHD and NHAI. Orissa Sponge Iron Manufacturers’ Association (OSIMA) vice-chairman Subrat Patnaik criticised the NHAI for the situation and demanded immediate remedial measures in the interest of the locals and industries. He said curbs on mineral transportation would paralyse industrial production and have a cascading effect on the local economy.District CPM secretary Banamali Dhupal said the situation is a rerun of similar past experiences.
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