Koraput: The long-pending bypass road project on NH-26 through Jeypore has run into delays again due to unresolved land acquisition issues. A few landowners are refusing to accept the compensation and part with their land.In response, the authorities have decided to deposit the compensation amount in the civil court to move the project forward.Officials said the project, originally scheduled for completion by Nov 30, 2024, has progressed only about 40% so far. “We have received only about 70% of the required land, which has restricted access to several patches and slowed down construction,” said Gouranga Majhi, superintendent engineer of NH division, Jeypore.Majhi said the ministry of road transport and highways has approved the proposal to deposit nearly Rs 10 crore as compensation in the civil court. “Once the amount is deposited, the remaining land can be legally acquired and work will resume smoothly,” he added.The National Highways departmentis building the 4.91-km-long bypass at an estimated cost of Rs 68 crore to ease traffic congestion on NH-26. The road will start near Hotel Hello , Jeypore between Jeypore and Bariniput and connect to the highway at the railway overbridge near Umuri on the outskirts of the town.The 45-metre-wide bypass will cover about 72.98 acres and pass through Jeypore LR, Dubuli, Mokaput and Umuri villages in Jeypore block. Once completed, it is expected to improve connectivity and reduce traffic jams and accidents, a long-standing demand of local residents.At present, more than 4,000 vehicles pass through NH-26 in Jeypore daily, underlining the urgency of the project.Land acquisition officer, Koraput, Debendra Rout said the problem is confined to about 2.5 acres involving nearly 15 landowners. “We are making all efforts to ensure the land losers receive their compensation. If that does not work, the amount will be deposited in the civil court so the project does not suffer further delays,” Rout said.
