Odisha govt mandates strict measures for agencies to clear up highway spillages

Bhubaneswar: Four days after two women were run over by a truck after their scooter skidded on sand spillage on the Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway-316, the state govt on Sunday directed road maintenance authorities to adopt regular mechanised cleaning on major roads to remove sand, soil and other hazardous materials.The State Transport Authority (STA) has issued a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) to the National Highways Authority of India, the works department and municipal bodies, mandating stricter measures to address concerns related to sand and construction material spillage that causes frequent road accidents.“Mechanical sweeping machines shall be deployed on national highways, state highways, major district roads and urban arterial roads. Frequency shall be increased on high-risk stretches, mining belts, construction zones, truck routes and accident-prone locations,” read a letter issued by state transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur to road-owning agencies.Authorities were asked to identify vulnerable locations such as curves, junctions, downgrades and urban merges, where spillage is rampant and ensure enhanced monitoring and cleaning. Thakur stressed that road maintenance bodies carry statutory responsibility of providing clean, hazard-free and traffic-worthy roads.“Loose sand and construction debris on carriageways significantly reduce tyre grip, leading to skidding and fatal accidents, particularly affecting two-wheeler riders. While enforcement action is taken against unsafe transportation of materials, preventing accidents equally depends on timely removal of such spillages by agencies concerned,” Thakur said. The move came amid growing concerns over rising accidents linked to poor road conditions and negligence in clearing construction debris.The directive also invoked Section 198A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which holds road-owning agencies accountable for lapses in design, construction, and maintenance. Failure to comply with safety standards can attract legal consequences, reinforcing the responsibility of field officers and departments. “Any lapse noticed during inspections or accident inquiries would be viewed seriously and fixed with accountability at the field-officer level,” the letter warned.