Odisha Orders Road Agencies to Clear Sand After Fatal Skidding

14 Jan 2026 CW Team

The directive follows the recent death of two women, including a journalist, on the Puri–Bhubaneswar highway after their vehicle skidded on sand deposited on the road surface. The authority said such spillage poses a serious risk to road users, particularly two-wheeler riders.

In a circular, STA chairman Amitabh Thakur said several serious accidents reported across the state in recent months were linked to road surface contamination caused by the non-removal of spilled sand and loose construction materials. He noted that sand, soil and debris on carriageways lead to tyre skidding and significantly increase the likelihood of severe and fatal crashes.

Thakur said that while enforcement agencies take action against the unsafe transportation of sand and construction materials, it remains the statutory responsibility of road-owning and road-maintaining agencies to ensure that roads under their jurisdiction are kept clean, traffic-worthy and free of hazards at all times.

He added that municipal corporations, municipalities and notified area councils are also legally responsible for street maintenance, cleaning and public safety within urban limits, including the deployment of mechanised sweeping and emergency cleaning services.

The STA chairman advised government agencies to intensify cleaning on major roads by deploying mechanical sweeping machines, particularly on high-risk stretches such as mining belts, construction zones, truck routes and accident-prone locations.

He warned that lapses identified during inspections or accident inquiries would be viewed seriously and fixed with accountability at the field-officer level.

The Odisha State Transport Authority has directed all road-owning agencies, including the National Highways Authority of India, to ensure regular cleaning and prompt removal of sand, soil and construction debris from roads to prevent fatal accidents. The directive follows the recent death of two women, including a journalist, on the Puri–Bhubaneswar highway after their vehicle skidded on sand deposited on the road surface. The authority said such spillage poses a serious risk to road users, particularly two-wheeler riders. In a circular, STA chairman Amitabh Thakur said several serious accidents reported across the state in recent months were linked to road surface contamination caused by the non-removal of spilled sand and loose construction materials. He noted that sand, soil and debris on carriageways lead to tyre skidding and significantly increase the likelihood of severe and fatal crashes. Thakur said that while enforcement agencies take action against the unsafe transportation of sand and construction materials, it remains the statutory responsibility of road-owning and road-maintaining agencies to ensure that roads under their jurisdiction are kept clean, traffic-worthy and free of hazards at all times. He added that municipal corporations, municipalities and notified area councils are also legally responsible for street maintenance, cleaning and public safety within urban limits, including the deployment of mechanised sweeping and emergency cleaning services. The STA chairman advised government agencies to intensify cleaning on major roads by deploying mechanical sweeping machines, particularly on high-risk stretches such as mining belts, construction zones, truck routes and accident-prone locations. He warned that lapses identified during inspections or accident inquiries would be viewed seriously and fixed with accountability at the field-officer level.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..