Bhubaneswar, 15 October (H.S.): Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging strict action against illegal and hazardous parking of heavy vehicles on national and state highways, particularly in the state’s mining and industrial belts.

In his letter, Pradhan expressed concern over the growing risk of road accidents caused by long queues of trucks parked along highways due to inadequate logistics management and a lack of designated parking facilities.

Citing a Supreme Court order dated April 13, 2026, in a suo motu case, he highlighted the importance of safe highway travel as part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Pradhan called for strict enforcement of the Odisha State Highways Authority Act, 2025, including penalties under Section 28, vehicle seizure under Sections 72 and 73, and criminal liability under Section 76 for companies whose negligence contributes to violations. He also sought enforcement of provisions prescribing imprisonment and fines for unsafe driving and overloading.

Among his key recommendations were 24-hour highway patrolling, automated e-challans, regular reviews by district road safety task forces, and the construction of off-highway holding yards by mining companies to prevent trucks from queuing on public roads.

He further urged the state government to hold industrial and mining companies accountable for transport-related congestion and issue clear directions to the concerned departments for effective enforcement.

Emphasising that human life must take precedence over industrial and administrative convenience, Pradhan said swift and stringent action against violators was essential to make Odisha’s highways safer.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda