Bhubaneswar, August 23: Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday wrote to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari seeking immediate repair of the busy National Highway (NH-55), connecting Sambalpur-Angul-Cuttack.

Pradhan drew the Union Minister’s attention to the extremely worrying and dilapidated condition of the NH due to the incessant rainfall and heavy vehicular movement.

He further said passenger and commercial vehicles were facing severe difficulties while passing along the stretch due to the potholes.

In a letter, Pradhan said that NH-55, which connects Sambalpur, Angul and Cuttack, is one of the State’s major lifelines.

“However, due to incessant rainfall and heavy vehicular movement, large potholes have developed at several places along the NH. In some places, road has also been damaged. As a result, passenger and freight vehicles are facing serious difficulties. Local residents and people who regularly travel along the route are experiencing inconvenience,” said a release quoting Pradhan.

“Due to the monsoon rain, the condition of the road has become even more precarious, with waterlogging worsening the situation. Accumulated water makes it difficult to identify big and deep potholes. The poor condition of the road has increased the risk of road accidents. Considering the highway’s vital role in connecting western and coastal Odisha and transporting essential commodities, immediate action is necessary,” it said.

The former Union Minister sought Gadkari’s personal intervention for immediate repairs to prevent inconvenience to lakhs of commuters.

“I seek your personal intervention to direct the concerned authorities to undertake immediate repairs to the road between Sambalpur and Cuttack to ensure safe and secure travel for the general public,” it added.