Argus News - Roadwork, Vehicle Breakdown Hit NH‑16, Several Stranded

Bhadrak, Feb 26: A massive traffic jam was reported on National Highway‑16 near Charampa in Bhadrak district, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded for hours since last night.

According to reports, the congestion, which extended towards Balasore, was caused by ongoing road construction work along the busy corridor.

The situation worsened when a vehicle broke down on the highway, blocking one of the lanes and further restricting movement.

Commuters, including long‑distance buses and goods carriers, were stuck in queues stretching several kilometers. Many passengers complained of delays and discomfort as the jam continued well into the early hours of Wednesday.

Local sources said that despite repeated attempts to clear the road, the combination of construction activity and the breakdown created a bottleneck that proved difficult to manage.

Rural police teams rushed to the site to control traffic and assist stranded motorists. Officers were seen guiding vehicles through narrow diversions and coordinating with road workers to ease the flow.

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Authorities have urged commuters to exercise patience and avoid peak travel hours until the roadwork is completed. The incident highlights the challenges faced by travelers along NH‑16, one of the busiest highways connecting Odisha with West Bengal.

Efforts are underway to remove the stranded vehicle and expedite construction work to restore normal traffic movement. Officials assured that measures are being taken to prevent similar disruptions in the coming days.