Cuttack, Aug. 18: Expect smooth flow of traffic at Badambadi junction with police declaring the intersection as no-parking and no-vending zone from today.

To end the clutter and chaos at the key junction in the city, the police have cleared all major obstructions within a 40-metre radius of the road.

The police have put up signage to alert people about the places where one should not park vehicles or vend.

The move comes in the wake of Orissa High Court order that directed the police to come up with measures to streamline vehicular traffic at major intersections in the city.

"We hope the step will streamline movement of traffic," said Sanjeev Arora, deputy commissioner of police.

Arora said the police had identified 20 prominent junctions across the city to be declared as no-parking and no-vending zones in subsequent phases.

Encroachments will be removed from Madhupatna, OMP Square, area in front of Ravenshaw University campus, Ranihat, Mangalabagh, Buxi Bazar. Chandi Mandir Chhak, Kanika Chhak, Shelter Square, Sati Choura, Biju Patnaik Square, Chandni Chowk, High Court Chhak, Khannagar, Sikharpur, Belview Square, DPO Square, Cantonment Square and Nuabazar Square to streamline movement of traffic.

"Keeping in view the road length and space available, zones will be first cleared of all encroachments before they are declared as no-parking and no-vending zones," said P. K. Dalai, assistant commissioner of police (traffic).

Any kind of violation would attract a fine ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000, he said.

Sanjay Mohanty, a commuter, said the cops had also put up no-parking boards. However, bulk of the space in front of Badambadi police station is being used to dump seized vehicles.

"We are happy that the entire stretch from Badambadi to the bus terminal on both side of the road has been cleared," said Bishu Pradhan, another commuter.

It's not only commuters, transport owners who operate from the Badambadi bus terminal have welcome the move.

President of the Private Bus Owners' Association Ajay Barik said: "Because of encroachment on the road, Bhubaneswar-bound buses found it difficult negotiating the U-turn as vehicles were driven out of the terminus. The move will help drivers in a big way."

Echoing Barik, Badambadi resident Dilip Bhuiyan said as buses had to wait a long time before they could take the U-turn, motorists were also left stranded, often exposing them to accidents.

He said that the benefit of unhindered passage to buses would also help commuters in a big way.