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Malkangiri: Hundreds of truck drivers and their crews have been stranded for more than a week on a national highway near the Motu border in Malkangiri, where Odisha meets Andhra Pradesh. The crisis has been caused by severe flooding of the Godavari River, which has rendered roads impassable.
In Andhra Pradesh’s side, floodwaters have washed away a portion of the highway which was worsened by ongoing road construction work. The road damage is so severe that locals have been seen fishing in the stagnant water covering the highway.
The situation has deteriorated rapidly, with truck crews running out of food and water supplies. Hundreds of trucks en route to Hyderabad, Tamil Nadu, and Chennai, are now stranded on both the Odisha and Andhra sides.
Stranded drivers have been forced to convert their truck cabins into makeshift kitchens and bedrooms, as they await any form of assistance. The language barrier between many Chennai-based drivers and local residents has further complicated the situation.
Taking advantage of the crisis, local shopkeepers have dramatically increased prices. Essential items such as eggs, water, and vegetables have seen price hikes of up to 300%, with a single egg now costing ₹10, a jar of water cost for ₹50 and a kilogram of chilies selling for ₹200.
There are now urgent calls for the provision of shelter and cooked meals for the stranded truck crews. The Moti Tehsildar suggested using alternative routes through Chhattisgarh, which is not feasible.
Despite the growing crisis, local authorities have been slow to respond. The district administration claims they are unable to act due to the poor road conditions in Andhra Pradesh side. However, after being informed of the situation, ADMO Vedbar Pradhan has promised to take immediate action.
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