Phulbani, Oct 23: A month after a landslide and road damage disrupted traffic on Kalinga Ghat in Odisha's Kandhamal district, the route continues to remain closed to the public, causing considerable inconvenience to commuters travelling between western and southern Odisha.

Despite the passage of a month, regular vehicular movement through the ghat has not resumed. Police have set up barricades at Kalinga roadside in G Udayagiri and at Durgaprasad under Bhanjanagar police limits in Ganjam district to prevent vehicles from entering the affected stretch.

The closure has forced commuters to take alternative routes, adding around 50 to 60 kilometres to their journeys. The number of vehicles using the route has reportedly declined, while people who regularly travel through the ghat continue to face difficulties.

Several commuters arriving on motorcycles and in cars have reportedly requested police personnel to allow them to pass through the route. However, police have refused permission, citing the continued restrictions.

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Local residents have urged the authorities to consider allowing emergency services to use the route, given the difficulties faced by people who depend on it for daily travel.

The Congress has alleged that the state government and the administration have failed to take the necessary steps to resolve the issue. Residents have also sought clarity on why the road remains closed despite the passage of considerable time since the landslide.

A ground visit by the news team found that work at the site appeared to have stopped, although the condition of the road and the status of the repair work require official clarification. No clear explanation has been provided by the administration or the state government regarding the continued closure.

Kalinga Ghat serves as an important connecting route between western and southern Odisha. Commuters have appealed to the government to intervene, clarify the reasons for the restrictions and take appropriate steps to restore traffic at the earliest, while ensuring public safety.