Jatni, Ap 22: The road connecting Haribhaina Square to Talakheta Square in Jatni, a major entry and exit route of the town, is facing severe congestion issues due to its narrow width of just 7 to 8 meters. Despite being one of the busiest routes in the region, the road struggles to accommodate both heavy vehicles and four-wheelers at the same time, often causing long traffic jams.
This stretch is part of the important Khordha-Jatni route on National Highway 16. Every day, hundreds of vehicles use this road to travel to and from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and other key locations. The demand for its expansion and improvement has been ongoing for years, with repeated appeals from the public finally prompting the authorities to initiate a survey in November.
According to a senior engineer from the Khordha R&B department, a proposal for upgrading the road to a four-lane route has been sent to the main office. However, six months have passed since the survey was completed, and the project has seen no further progress.
The delay in preparing the DPR (Detailed Project Report), land acquisition, and cost estimation has raised questions about when the actual work will begin.
Jatni, known for its commercial significance, also houses many government and private institutions, including the railway office, food corporation, oil terminals, and educational centers. The narrow road is critical for daily commuters and professionals, yet it remains underdeveloped.
Local BJP leader Sudipta Ray and Jatni Lawyers' Association President Sushil Kumar Mohanty have urged departmental ministers and officials to speed up the project. They emphasized how frequent traffic snarls are affecting daily life and called for immediate attention to resolve the situation.
Residents are now demanding urgent road widening to ease transportation and support the town’s growing needs.
