Jamshedpur: The vital National Highway 220, which connects Jharkhand to Odisha, has become a symbol of negligence and is now in a state of severe disrepair. The stretch from Hesada to Palidih Hattandi Tirang Gate, covering nearly 4 kilometers, has transformed into a series of large, waterlogged craters, disrupting traffic and bringing heavy vehicle movement to a standstill. While goods carriers continue to ply, trucks frequently get stuck in the potholes, leading to long traffic jams on the road.
In response to complaints from locals, Potka MLA Sanjib Sardar visited the site on Sunday to inspect the situation. Wading through the mud, he interacted with residents and assessed the challenges they face due to the deteriorating condition of the road. On the spot, the MLA called Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal and directed him to ensure the road is made passable within three days. Speaking to the gathered crowd, MLA Sardar expressed his frustration over the state of the highway, highlighting that NH-220 is a crucial link between Jharkhand and Odisha. He criticized the central government, stating that the road has been in a deplorable condition for nearly six years due to neglect. The poor state of the road has caused immense suffering to locals, with many lives lost in accidents and passenger buses ceasing to operate.
MLA Sardar further mentioned that despite repeated letters to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), no action has been taken. He issued a stern warning that if the road is not repaired within three days, he will lead a mass protest on the highway along with party workers. The inspection was attended by several local leaders and supporters, including Zikarul Hoda, Bhubaneswar Sardar, Himanshu Sardar, Dev Palit, Anupam Mandal, Mukesh Seat, Sitaram Hembram, Santu Mandal, Bapi, and Mohammad Jamal.
