: The foundation stone for the much-awaited underpass near Vellora was laid by Baleswar MP RK Jena and Jaleswar MLA Aswani Patra.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has sanctioned about Rs 30 crore for construction of the underpass near Vellora square on NH-60 which has been a longstanding demand of people, mainly of Basta and Jaleswar.
The demand was raised in the Parliament in July, 2014, by MP Jena and a sustained persuasion was made with the Union Road and Surface Transport Ministry stating that the Vellora patch had turned a death trap on the NH connecting Baleswar and Kharagpur.
Due to want of a underpass at that point, the nearby villagers under Santospur , Paunsakuli, Dakda, Raghunathpur and Kulida panchayats were the worst sufferers. Several fatal accidents took place while crossing road at that point.
More than 55,000 villagers and daily commuters mainly belonging to the blocks such as Basta and Jaleswar of north Baleswar use the crossing for their routine works and daily needs.
Since all important public institutions like post office, primary school, gram panchayat office, dispensary, banks etc. are situated in either side of the National Highway, they had no other option but to cross the NH a number of times during day which not only causes problems for daily traffic but also makes the area accident prone, MP Jena had pleaded, adding the underpass would be a life saving tool for them.
Tendering process for the construction work of the underpass was completed after sanction of fund.