Rourkela–Sambalpur Highway Blockade: Land Acquisition Dispute Sparks Traffic Chaos

Traffic on the busy Rourkela–Sambalpur highway came to a grinding halt on Monday after local residents staged a blockade near Jhagarpur under Rajgangpur police limits.

The protest was triggered by allegations of illegal land acquisition by Dalmia Bharat Cement Limited at Lanjiberna.

Protesters claimed that the company had acquired land without proper consent, failed to provide fair compensation, and ignored legal procedures.

As a result, hundreds of trucks, buses, and private vehicles were stranded, with long queues stretching for kilometres.

Police and district administration officials rushed to the spot to maintain order and initiate talks between the aggrieved villagers and company representatives.

However, the protesters refused to withdraw, insisting that the blockade would continue until their grievances were addressed and a fair settlement was assured.

The situation remains tense, with commuters facing major inconvenience and authorities working to defuse the standoff.