Jeypore Bypass Road Project Hits Another Roadblock
The much-awaited bypass road project on National Highway 26 through Jeypore has encountered another significant delay. This setback stems from unresolved land acquisition problems that continue to plague the infrastructure initiative.
Landowners Reject Compensation Offers
A small group of property owners has refused to accept the proposed compensation packages. These individuals are unwilling to part with their land parcels needed for the road construction. Their resistance has created a major obstacle for project authorities trying to move forward with the development work.
Gouranga Majhi, the superintendent engineer of the NH division in Jeypore, provided specific details about the current situation. "We have managed to acquire only about 70% of the required land so far," Majhi explained. "This limited access to various sections has dramatically slowed down our construction progress."
Project Timeline and Progress Status
The ambitious bypass project was originally scheduled for completion by November 30, 2024. However, with only about 40% of the work finished to date, meeting that deadline appears increasingly unlikely. The incomplete land acquisition process remains the primary factor behind these construction delays.
Debendra Rout, the land acquisition officer for Koraput district, clarified the scope of the problem. "The issue involves approximately 2.5 acres of land spread across nearly fifteen different landowners," Rout stated. "We are making every possible effort to ensure these individuals receive their rightful compensation."
Authorities Pursue Legal Solution
In response to the ongoing impasse, officials have decided to pursue a legal approach. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved a proposal to deposit nearly ten crore rupees as compensation in the civil court system.
"Once we deposit this amount with the court, we can legally acquire the remaining land parcels," Majhi elaborated. "This will allow construction work to resume smoothly without further interruptions."
Project Details and Local Impact
The National Highways department is constructing this 4.91-kilometer-long bypass road at an estimated cost of sixty-eight crore rupees. The development aims specifically to ease persistent traffic congestion problems along NH-26 through Jeypore town.
The planned route will feature several important characteristics:
- The road will begin near Hotel Hello in Jeypore, positioned between Jeypore and Bariniput
- It will connect to the main highway at the railway overbridge near Umuri on the town's outskirts
- The bypass will measure forty-five meters in width
- It will cover approximately 72.98 acres of land
- The route will pass through Jeypore LR, Dubuli, Mokaput, and Umuri villages within Jeypore block
Urgent Need for Traffic Relief
Local residents have long demanded this infrastructure improvement to address chronic transportation problems. Currently, more than four thousand vehicles pass through NH-26 in Jeypore every single day. This substantial traffic volume underscores the urgent need for the bypass project.
Once completed, officials expect the new road to deliver multiple benefits:
- Improved regional connectivity for both commercial and personal travel
- Reduced traffic jams during peak hours
- Fewer accidents along the congested highway section
- Enhanced safety for both motorists and pedestrians
Rout emphasized the administration's commitment to resolving the land issue promptly. "If our direct compensation efforts don't succeed, we will deposit the amount in civil court," he affirmed. "This approach will prevent the project from suffering additional unnecessary delays."
The situation remains fluid as authorities attempt to balance landowner rights with pressing infrastructure needs. Local communities continue to watch developments closely, hoping for a swift resolution that allows this critical project to move forward.
