Traffic between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh came to a standstill for over six hours following an accident involving a coal truck near Partapur village in the Rayagada district late Sunday evening.

The vehicle was transporting coal from Visakhapatnam to Raipur when it lost control and overturned on the highway. The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Rayagada for medical attention.

The accident left the truck overturned and coal spilled across the roadway, leading to numerous vehicles being stuck on both sides, which caused significant distress for commuters and transport services.

Emergency services, including police and fire personnel, arrived at the scene on Monday morning to commence the cleanup. Officials indicated that normal traffic flow would be restored once the truck and debris were fully cleared away.

This incident underscores the ongoing issues related to heavy vehicle accidents on busy interstate highways, raising alarms about road safety and the enforcement of regulations.