Balangir: A local organisation on Tuesday night blocked a major thoroughfare to demand early completion of the long-awaited bypass.

The Balangir Action Committee claimed that the proposed bypass was hanging fire and the blockade was part of a new initiative to push for the project. At least 100 activists from the action committee and other organisations took part in the hour-long blockade at Bhagirathi Chowk from 10pm.

Balngir Sadar deputy superintendent of police Narayana Naik and Town police station inspector-in-charge Gokulananda Sahu intervened and restored normality after an hour. Heavy vehicles are only allowed to ply in the town between 10pm and 6am and the chowk is an important point of entry.

Action committee convener Gopaljee Panigrahi said there were no bypasses in Balangir for heavy vehicles. "As a result, the town frequently witnesses traffic jams as heavy vehicles pass through main streets during peak hours," he said.

"Town residents have been demanding the bypass road for heavy vehicles as such unwarranted traffic jams not only caused inconvenience, but also led to loss of life and property."

The proposed 23km bypass was sanctioned in 2009 with a three-year deadline for completion for an estimated Rs 86 crore. However, work only began in 2013. The project has been divided into three parts with three different implementing agencies - the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco), public works department and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Of the three, Idco has already completed construction of a 5km stretch from the KBK ITI on Sambalpur Road to Larkipali.

The next 6km from Larkipali through Patnagarh Road via Balangir Medical College and Kendriya Vidyalaya to reach the NH-26 at Bijakhaman will be constructed by the public works department. The NHAI is responsible for the final 12km stretch from Madhiapali on Sambalpur Road through NH-57 near Puintala to NH-26 at Bijakhaman.