Defunct street lights on NH-16 increase road safety risks
2
Bhubaneswar: Travelling on the NH-16, which connects Bhubaneswar with Cuttack, has become a safety hazard due to non-functional street lights and inadequate maintenance, raising concerns among commuters and pedestrians.
The situation has become particularly critical during the ongoing Shravan month, with thousands of kanwariyas (devotees) walking barefoot along the highway carrying water pots to various Shiva shrines in the twin cities. The dark stretches has made their journey increasingly dangerous.
"This is absolutely harrowing. I walked to the Shiva shrine in Laxmi Sagar for the second time last Sunday, and the street lights were defunct.
Vehicles passing dangerously close make it a nightmarish experience," said Krushna Puhan, a kanwariya from Phulnakhara.
The problem is compounded by unauthorised vehicle parking during night and stray cattle occupying the main carriageway. With restrictions imposed by commissionerate police on heavy vehicles between 5am and 10pm, trucks enter the city limits after 10pm only.
Girija Hota, a shopkeeper at Palasuni, witnessed a recent accident involving cattle.
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"I saw two bulls fighting in the middle of the highway. A speeding truck hit one of them due to the darkness," he said.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said they regularly service the priority stretch. "We will investigate any issues with the street lights and address them promptly," said Suraj Singh, NHAI (project director), Bhubaneswar circle.
Traffic authorities promised action. "We will discuss the matter with both NHAI and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation to address road safety issues on the highway," said an officer of the traffic wing of commissionerate police.
With increasing traffic volume and pedestrian movement, especially during festivals, the demand for proper lighting and their maintenance has become more urgent, according to residents and road safety experts.
"There is a need for a comprehensive safety audit of the highway stretch and implementation of strict enforcement measures against traffic violations. The situation has really worsened due to poor lighting and it needs to be addressed on priority," road safety activist PV Ramana said.
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