Potholes threaten Advanis Yatra

SAMBALPUR: The 88-km stretch from Luhurachati along Orissa-Chhattisgarh border to Sambalpur via Bargarh on NH-6 will be a nightmare for BJP leader L K Advani on Jan Chetna Yatra. Potholed, the stretch is hardly motorable.  The district BJP has threatened to launch a non-cooperation movement if the road is not repaired before Advani arrives in Bargarh district on October 23. It had petitioned all parties concerned and sent reminders threatening agitations and handed out assurances while a quick solution seems distant. Attabira MLA Nihar Mahanad has also decided to go on a fast-unto-death on Thursday demanding immediate repair of the road.  Similarly, Aamar Sambalpur, a pressure group, blocked the highway at  Baraipali for two hours  demanding immediate  repair of the stretch. The blockade was lifted after Sub- Collector Satyanand Jena and NHAI Executive Engineer PK Suttar assured the agitators to undertake repair work and complete it within a fortnight.  Although the stretch is being widened to six lanes, the existing road has become a virtual death-trap with accidents on a daily basis. The very fact that it takes more than two hours to traverse 50 km from Sambalpur to Bargarh by car speaks volumes about the  condition of the road.  Even truck drivers avoid the stretch at night.