Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to expedite highway infrastructure and road-safety projects in his constituency and adjoining areas of Odisha. He raised the proposals in a letter, citing rapid industrial and economic growth in western Odisha and rising traffic movement across the region.

A key request is the widening of the existing four-lane Sambalpur-Angul-Cuttack corridor to six lanes. Pradhan has also sought two-lane service roads on both sides of the highway to separate local traffic from through movement and improve access for communities located along the corridor.

The MP has requested priority approval for four underpasses proposed by the Project Implementation Unit in Sambalpur on NH-55. The locations are Jindal Road, Jarapada, Jeranga and Charmal, where heavy commercial and mining traffic uses the Angul-Sambalpur section alongside local commuters and pedestrians.

The proposed underpasses are intended to address road-safety risks and provide dedicated crossing facilities. Pradhan also highlighted the need for a flyover at Sambalpur City Railway Station Square on NH-53, identifying the site as a major safety concern because railway passengers regularly cross the busy highway at grade.

He has sought expedited sanction and construction of the flyover to protect pedestrians and support smoother traffic movement. Pradhan also asked Gadkari to direct officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India to provide prompt administrative and financial approvals for the projects.

The proposed interventions are intended to strengthen connectivity between western Odisha and major commercial and industrial centres. They come as industrial, commercial and mining activity continues to increase traffic on the Sambalpur-Angul route, making additional highway capacity and infrastructure for local traffic and pedestrians a priority.