KORAPUT: A 5-km bypass is being planned to ease traffic on NH-26, passing through Jeypore town in Odisha's Koraput district.
"Traffic snarls are common on the national highway as the number of heavy and light vehicles plying on this stretch has increased manifold over the years," sub-divisional officer, NH Jeypore division, Basudev Sasmal, said.
The proposed road will be constructed from Tata Showroom, between Jeypore and Bariniput, to the NH at the railway over bridge situated near Umuri, on the outskirts of Jeypore town, he said.
Sasmal said the road of 45-metre width would be built over 72.98 acre, which include 59.64 acre private land, and would pass through Umuri, Mokaput and Dubuli villages in Jeypore block.
"The survey work has been completed and we will start the land acquisition process after issuing notices to land losers. The road will come up at an estimated cost Rs 20 crore," junior engineer of the division Prabhakar Sethi.
According to NH sources, over 4,000 vehicles ply on this stretch daily. "The highway passing through the town remains congested, leading to accidents. The bypass has been a long standing demand of Jeypore denizens. The work should start immediately," said secretary of Jeypore Trusk Owners Association, Nori Mohanty.