Concerns over the structural safety of the busy Sambalpur-Angul corridor have resurfaced after repairs to a cavity that appeared on the Maneswar-Sindurpank flyover on NH-55 were completed on Sunday.
The incident has triggered questions over the quality of construction and the recurring damage reported at several locations along the highway stretch.
Fly Ash Erosion Raises Fresh Concerns
The concerns are not limited to the cavity on the flyover. Questions have also been raised over the use and compaction of fly ash in various projects along the corridor.
Following prolonged rainfall, fly ash has reportedly been washed out from portions of the structures. This has raised fears that continued erosion could create voids beneath the road surface and potentially weaken other sections of the highway.
270 Defective Works Identified
According to official sources, around 270 defective works have been identified along the Sambalpur-Angul stretch and have been marked for rectification.
The work was reportedly executed by AIPL as a sub-contractor under Gayatri Infra. Several potholes have also emerged at multiple locations, with local residents alleging poor-quality construction as a major reason behind the deterioration.
Another agency, Dhingra Brothers (India), has reportedly started repair work at the identified locations.
Questions Over Quality Control
The role of the project consultancy has also come under scrutiny. While the contractor was responsible for execution, the consultancy was reportedly involved in design, supervision and inspection of the project, including verification of the work before bills were cleared.
The emergence of major defects despite multiple levels of supervision has raised questions over the effectiveness of the project’s quality-control mechanism.
BJD Demands Probe Into NH-55 Project
The Opposition BJD has targeted the government over the alleged lapses. BJD district president Rohit Pujari described the fly ash leakage as an example of the alleged failure to properly address the situation despite government meetings on the issue.
Pujari demanded a detailed investigation into the ₹1,200-crore NH-55 project.
He also questioned the silence of the local administration, referring to reports that authorities in Jagatsinghpur had lodged an FIR against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) over alleged poor-quality highway work.
The latest developments have renewed calls for a comprehensive technical inspection of the Sambalpur-Angul corridor to ensure the safety and durability of the highway.