Illegal Truck Parking on Nabarangpur Highway Sparks Tragedy and Public Outcry
Nabarangpur, October 30, 2025 A tragic accident near Kumuli on State Highway 40 has reignited public concern over illegal truck parking in Odisha.
On Wednesday night, six villagers from Phuljhuri in Sukigaon Panchayat were returning home on motorcycles after visiting relatives in Bharasundi. One of the bikes collided with a truck parked illegally on the roadside near Kumuli Chhak.
Balaram Santa, who was seated in front, sustained a fatal head injury. Arjun Santa, riding pillion, was critically injured and rescued by a journalist who rushed him to a nearby medical facility. The truck involved fled the scene immediately after the crash.
Raighar police, led by officer Raghunath Majhi, have launched an investigation, seized the motorcycle, and sent the body for autopsy.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among locals, who report frequent accidents along the Saraguli-Jodinga stretch due to unauthorized truck parking.
Similar tragedies have occurred near Jagannath Temple and Ganjapara petrol pumps. Just days earlier, on October 25, two youths lost their lives in a crash on the Bharatmala road.
Residents are now demanding stricter police patrolling and enforcement of parking regulations to prevent further loss of life.
The growing number of fatalities linked to illegal roadside parking has created unrest across the region, putting pressure on authorities to take immediate action.
