Bhubaneswar, Feb. 26 -- Heavy congestion was reported on National Highway 16 in Bhadrak on Thursday, with traffic remaining at a standstill for nearly eight hours.

Hundreds of vehicles were seen stranded on the stretch beneath the Dhamara railway overbridge, causing significant disruption to movement towards Balasore, Odisha.

The situation persisted through the night, with vehicles reportedly stuck from 11 pm onwards.

A complete gridlock developed on one side of the carriageway, leaving long queues of vehicles unable to move. Traffic from Bhadrak towards Balasore was particularly affected, as motorists remained stranded for hours.

According to officials, the disruption was caused by a truck that broke down and remained stationed on th...