VANI VIHAR SQUARE

Autorickshaws parked at Vani Vihar Square are a big bother for motorists. With autorickshaws blocking the road and running over every traffic rule, motorists find it difficult to negotiate the entire stretch, starting from the intersection till the Pantaloons retail showroom. "The stretch has become a trouble spot as autorickshaws drivers park the vehicles haphazardly to pick up passengers," said Samarth Kumar, 37, a resident of Rasulgarh. The problem becomes acute after 6pm as people throng the marketplace that has a mall as well as a large retail showroom.

SAYTA NAGAR SQUARE

Autorickshaws are a menace for motorists at this busy square, also known as Big the Bazaar Square. Motorists making a left turn from Big Bazaar and heading towards Master Canteen Square run into autorickshaws that block a large part of the road.

"It has become dangerous for vehicles to negotiate the stretch as the three-wheelers refuse to move on until they are full to capacity," said Narayan Mohapatra, 36, a financial executive and resident of Satya Nagar. Pedestrians, too, have a difficult time crossing the road.

MASTER CANTEEN SQUARE

At this major intersection, auto drivers throw the rulebook out the window. Rash driving and stopping without warning in the middle of the road pose serious threat to the life and limbs of pedestrians and motorists. Vehicles coming from Kharavela Nagar often get stuck in traffic chaos as rashly driven autorickshaws do not bother to follow road rules.

People also wait on the roadside at Master Canteen Square to board autorickshaws and buses. "There should be a dedicated autorickshaw parking lot at the square from where people can board the three-wheelers," said Mahendra Nayak, 54, state government employee and resident of Unit-VI. He added that the three-wheelers often pick up passengers from the middle of the road, making it difficult for motorists to drive and exposes them to the risk of accidents.

RASULGARH SQUARE

This busy intersection is also at the mercy of the reckless three-wheelers.

The stretch under the flyover used by vehicles going towards the Cuttack-Puri road has been encroached upon by autorickshaws. Satyendra Behera, 34, businessman and resident of GGP Colony, said the three-wheelers block the road making it difficult for motorists to move towards the Cuttack-Puri road.

An autorickshaw driver at the spot said it was easier to pick passengers from under the bridge as people alighting from buses availed of their services. He added that a dedicated parking spot would be helpful both to autorickshaw drivers and passengers.

WHAT OFFICIALS SAY

A traffic police official said if autorickshaws were found blocking roads, they were liable to be penalised.

"People should report such violations to the traffic police," he said. Regional transport officer-II Sanjay Kumar Behera said the transport department had already notified the traffic police about encroachment by autos at various city junctions.

"The traffic police have been informed of the menace as well as of the spots where autorickshaw drivers create problems," he said. A traffic police official said encroachment on roads and haphazard parking was a traffic offence.

He said a drive would be started shortly to ensure that autorickshaws are not parked on the roads and do not pose a hindrance to motorists.

The official added that an awareness drive would soon be conducted to sensitise autorickshaw drivers about proper parking procedures and traffic rules.