Daringbadi: The traffic movement on National Highway 59 that connects Daringbadi in Kandhamal district has been disrupted due to a landslide near Gajalbadi gorge.
Vehicular movement from Sorada to Berhampur in Ganjam district has also been adversely affected for the last 12 days.
Following the landslide, large rocks, soil and tree trunks have obstructed the road, which is the lifeline of Daringbadi.
The district administration has initiated repair work of the road on a war-footing.
However, the restoration process is being delayed because the removal of debris on the road is a mammoth challenge.
Many portions of the national highway stretching up to 10 km from Sankha of Rasikijodi to Bhutapankal of Gajalbadi have been damaged due to the landslide.
The huge rocks on the road are being broken by blasting, reports said.
Efforts are on to allow lightweight vehicles on the road from next week.
“Even as we will restore the road for normal vehicular movement, the complete repairing of the road may take three-four months,” said Executive Engineer Satyanarayan Sahu.
The prices of grocery items and vegetables in Daringbadi have skyrocketed following the disruption in vehicular movement.
The heavy motor vehicles are now moving through Mohana in Gajapati district, which is 50 kilometres away from Daringbadi.
Health services and tourism sectors in Daringbadi have also been hit due to the landslide, reports added.