Drunk Autorickshaw Driver Sparks Major Traffic Chaos on Bhubaneswar's Janpath
A shocking incident unfolded on the busy Janpath road in Bhubaneswar on Thursday afternoon, where a heavily intoxicated autorickshaw driver brought traffic to a complete standstill for nearly an hour. The disruptive episode created widespread inconvenience and public nuisance before police intervention.
Chaotic Scene Unfolds Near Kendriya Vidyalaya-1
The trouble began when the driver abruptly stopped his empty autorickshaw right in the middle of the road in front of Kendriya Vidyalaya-1. Initially, bystanders and commuters assumed the vehicle had experienced mechanical failure and politely requested the driver to move it aside to clear the growing traffic congestion.
Instead of cooperating, the driver turned increasingly aggressive and belligerent. Witnesses reported that he began hurling abusive language at pedestrians, stripped off his shirt in a fit of rage, and even proceeded to overturn his own autorickshaw. His obscene language and disruptive behavior created an embarrassing public spectacle that left many commuters shocked and disturbed.
Commuters Bear the Brunt of Disruption
The resulting traffic jam caused significant delays for numerous road users. "I was stuck in traffic for 30 minutes and reached a nearby school late to pick up students," said Kalu Maharana, a bus driver who found himself caught in the chaos. The incident highlighted the broader impact of such reckless behavior on daily commuters and essential services.
Concerned citizens expressed relief that no passengers were traveling in the autorickshaw at the time, given the driver's visibly impaired condition. "Fortunately, no passengers were travelling in the auto, whose driver was not in a condition to drive. Police should check his vehicle's documents and cancel his driving licence," remarked Raj Kishore Sahoo, a passerby who witnessed the incident.
Police Intervention and Subsequent Detention
Upon receiving information about the disturbance, two police control room vans promptly rushed to the scene. The situation escalated further when the intoxicated driver resisted police attempts to restrain him and even attempted to physically attack the officers. After a brief struggle, the police team managed to overpower him and transport him to the Kharavel Nagar police station for further questioning.
A police officer involved in the operation stated, "We are trying to establish his identity as he was unable to speak coherently due to intoxication. His autorickshaw has been seized as part of our investigation." The authorities are now conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, including verifying the driver's documents and determining appropriate legal action.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by drunk driving and the significant disruption such behavior can cause to public order and traffic management in urban areas.
