BALASORE: The inquiry report of district authorities on incomplete Anandapur-Bhadrak-Chandbali (ABC) road is yet to be submitted to the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC). The report was sought by OHRC on the basis of allegation that the authorities had failed to complete the road project in time.
Acting on a petition filed by human rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had last year asked the OHRC to act as per law. On November 14 last year, the OHRC had asked the Collectors of Bhadrak and Keonjhar districts to submit an inspection report within 30 days. But the report is yet to be submitted.
The work on 88-km ABC road was started in February 2008 and targeted to be completed by September 2011. However, only 35 per cent of the road has been completed so far. Nearly 27 kms of bituminous surface and 0.5 km of concrete surface have been constructed.
In his petition, Tripathy had mentioned that travelling on the road has become a nightmare for more than four lakh people of Chandbali, Tihidi, Bhadrak, Bonth and Anandapur blocks. He had appealed for compensation to the families of the persons who had died or were injured in accidents on the road.
The OHRC had also sought an inquiry report from the Chief Engineer, World Bank Project, Odisha. While 43 kms of the road belong to Keonjhar district, 45 kms come under Bhadrak district. As the issue involves two districts, it should be inquired by both the Collectors, the OHRC order stated.