Bhubaneswar: It may sound unusual, but for many residents near the Chandbali College Road in Bhadrak district prayers have become a response to a growing road safety concern. Alarmed by a spate of accidents on the College Road, locals have been performing yajnas and pujas along the stretch seeking divine protection for commuters.Photographs and videos of the roadside rituals have gone viral on social media, triggering criticism of the transport and district authorities for their alleged failure to curb accidents on the route. “Since the authorities are not taking any accident-prevention measures, we are appeasing gods and goddesses for our safety. Pujas are being conducted frequently, and many commuters are tying sacred threads around trees along the road,” said Sudama Paikray, a local resident.Another resident, Akhaya Das, said devotees have also placed photographs of various deities on trees lining the road. “People believe these measures will help prevent mishaps and protect travellers,” he said. The stretch has since become the subject of numerous social media reels and posts, with users highlighting the sacred threads and religious images attached to roadside trees as symbols of public anxiety over recurring accidents.Locals claimed that at least two persons have died and around 10 others have sustained injuries in accidents on the Chandbali College Road over the past fortnight. However, the district administration denied the death toll, stating that no fatalities were recorded during the period, though it acknowledged that accidents have occurred frequently on the stretch.Officials attributed most of the accidents to rash and negligent driving rather than any flaw in the road’s design. Regional transport officer Subhendu Ranjan Ray said engineers inspected the road and found no engineering defects. “Police have installed barricades and pasted reflective stickers on roadside trees. We have also been conducting awareness campaigns on safe and responsible driving. Motorists should follow road safety rules and avoid reckless driving,” Ray said.
