Cuttack: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a response from a Jeypore-based human rights activist on govt’s report detailing ongoing and proposed national highway projects in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts constituting undivided Koraput district. He had alleged that poor road infrastructure was endangering the right to life of people in the region.The order was passed on Oct 6 on a complaint filed by advocate and human rights activist Anup Kumar Patro on Aug 25, 2025. Patro had alleged “systemic violation” of the Right to Life under Article 21 due to “severely inadequate” NH infrastructure and accused state and central govt authorities of inaction.The commission examined the complaint along with a report submitted by the Koraput district magistrate on May 29, 2026. The report, based on inputs from the superintending engineer, NH division, Jeypore, listed several projects being executed to improve connectivity in undivided Koraput district.After considering the material, the NHRC noted that the report “revealed about the projects which are being undertaken by NHAI to improve the road connectivity in the undivided Koraput district”.The commission, however, decided to hear the complainant before proceeding further. “Before further proceeding, let a copy of the report dated 29.05.2026, be sent to the complainant for comments, if any, within four weeks,” the NHRC directed.The authorities informed NHRC that construction of four-lane bypasses at Jeypore and Borigumma and a two-lane bypass with paved shoulders at Nabarangpur along NH-26 was underway. Widening of the Motu-Jeypore stretch of NH-326 to two-lane standards with paved shoulders was stated to be in progress. The detailed project report (DPR) had been submitted and the alignment finalised, the report said.The authorities further stated that upgrading the highway to a full four-lane road would be proposed to the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) “as soon as traffic density and future demand warrant the expansion”.Patro can now submit his comments on govt’s claims regarding the ongoing works, proposed four-lane and the overall adequacy of measures being taken to address road infrastructure concerns raised in his complaint.