Cuttack's Key Road Section Overrun by Illegal Parking
A critical 2.5-kilometer stretch of road in Cuttack, running from Ranihat to Matrubhaban School, has transformed into an unauthorized parking lot for numerous vehicles. This situation is creating major traffic disruptions and putting commuters at risk every single day. Despite being located close to bustling commercial areas like Malgodown and Chhatra Bazar, local residents claim that enforcement actions against this illegal parking have been noticeably absent.
Residents Voice Frustration Over Daily Gridlock
People living in the area report that dozens of trucks, mini-trucks, auto-rickshaws, and private cars have been occupying the roadside for many months. This illegal parking significantly reduces the available carriageway, leading to frequent bottlenecks. The problem becomes especially severe during peak morning and evening hours.
Ramesh Sahoo, a resident of Ranihat, expressed his daily struggle. "The road is already busy, and the illegal parking makes it much worse. During office hours, it can take at least twenty minutes just to cross a one-kilometer section. No one appears to be checking these vehicles that park here for weeks on end."
Another regular commuter, Sunita Mishra, highlighted the dangers for pedestrians. She travels daily to Chhatra Bazar and said, "Footpaths are completely blocked by parked vehicles, forcing people to walk on the road itself. This poses a serious danger, particularly for elderly individuals and schoolchildren who use this route."
Drivers and Emergency Services Face Hardships
The narrowed road space forces school buses, ambulances, and two-wheelers to navigate through dangerously tight gaps. Auto-rickshaw driver Bikash Rout placed the blame squarely on a lack of enforcement. "This area has effectively become a free parking zone. Vehicles park here day and night, and traffic police are rarely seen. When major congestion happens, drivers like us often get blamed for the situation."
Traffic snarls reach their worst point during morning market hours and again in the evening. This is when goods carriers line up along the road, often leaving only a single lane open for moving traffic.
Police Promise Action Against Persistent Problem
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Jayant Dora acknowledged the issue in a statement. He confirmed awareness of the illegal parking problems on certain stretches, including the Ranihat-Matrubhaban area. "Enforcement drives will be intensified. Long-term parking on public roads will not be permitted," Dora stated.
He further added that coordination with local police stations would be strengthened. Regular monitoring will also be ensured to prevent the recurrence of this chaotic parking situation and restore smooth traffic flow on this vital Cuttack road.
