Bhubaneswar, Aug. 5: National Highway-16, the lifeline connecting Bhubaneswar and Khordha, has emerged as one of Odisha's deadliest road corridors, with a sharp rise in accidents and fatalities during the first half of 2026. Data released by the Khordha District Road Safety Committee reveals an alarming increase in crashes compared to the corresponding period last year, raising serious concerns over road safety and enforcement.

According to the committee's analysis, a total of 720 road accidents were reported across three road safety zones in Khordha district till the end of June 2026, compared to 650 accidents during the same period in 2025. This marks an increase of 70 accidents, or 10.7 percent, within a year.

The number of fatalities has also climbed significantly. While 202 people lost their lives in road accidents during the first half of 2025, the death toll has risen to 223 this year—an increase of 21 fatalities.

The road safety assessment covered accident data from 12 police station jurisdictions under Khordha district police, along with areas falling under RTO-1 and RTO-2. Of the total accidents reported this year, 220 occurred under Khordha district police limits, 230 under RTO-1 and 270 under RTO-2.

Among the worst-affected areas, Khandagiri Police Station recorded the highest number of accidents with 43 cases, followed by Mancheswar (35) and Infovalley (29). Capital, Sahid Nagar, Pahala and Badagada police station limits have also emerged as major accident-prone zones.

Outside Bhubaneswar, Begunia reported 31 accidents, Tangi 26, and Banpur 22 during the same period. Except for the Capital Police Station area, most of these accident hotspots lie along NH-16 and NH-316, highlighting the highways as the primary contributors to the rising number of crashes.

The mortality figures are equally worrying. Of the 223 deaths reported till June this year, 93 occurred under Khordha district police, 52 under RTO-1, and 78 under RTO-2.

The Infovalley Police Station area recorded the highest number of fatalities at 16, followed by Jatni (15) and Khandagiri (13). Under RTO-1, Pahala Police Station registered the highest number of fatal accident cases with 12 deaths. Tangi and Banpur have also emerged as major "death zones," recording 13 fatalities each during the period.

Road safety expert Subrata Nanda attributed the growing number of accidents to reckless driving by heavy vehicles on major highways. He said NH-16, particularly in the Khandagiri, Mancheswar, Pahala, Sahid Nagar, Infovalley, Tangi and Banpur stretches, has become extremely dangerous for both motorists and pedestrians attempting to cross the highway.

He also pointed out that sections of NH-316 (Puri Bypass Road) under Badagada Police Station and NH-57 (Khordha–Balangir Highway) in Begunia have become increasingly hazardous.

According to Nanda, speeding trucks, buses, tippers and trailers, especially during late-night hours, are major contributors to the rising death toll. Many heavy vehicles reportedly travel at speeds exceeding 100 kmph, leading to fatal collisions and a growing number of hit-and-run cases. He noted that police often struggle to identify the offending vehicles in such incidents.

Calling for urgent intervention, Nanda urged authorities to intensify enforcement at identified black spots and prepare a comprehensive road safety master plan to reduce accidents and save lives on Odisha's busiest highways.