Cuttack, April 19: Effort of police to clamp restriction on bus parking on Link road-Badambadi route has fallen on deaf ears.

Commuters claim that despite dedicating two parking bays to buses, many vehicles are parked on the side of the road triggering traffic congestion.

"Separate parking lots have been assigned to the buses but they are still parked on the side of the road. This disrupts traffic movement," said Kamlakant Pal, a resident of Badambadi.

The police, however, claim otherwise.

Senior police officials said there had been a sea change in the overall traffic situation. Many private buses are using the bays round the clock. They claimed that there had been a massive crackdown on the traffic violators on the entire stretch in the last one month.

"Our objective to streamline the traffic flow at the busy junction has been fulfilled as the private buses don't crowd the main road," said P.K. Dalai, assistant commissioner of police (traffic).

Earlier, more than 40 to 50 buses were parked on both sides of the main road connecting Badambadi with Madhupatna via Link Road, said Dalai.

"We have already issued notices to nearly three bus owners to shift their vehicles that are lying idle on the stretch. Appropriate action will be taken against the violators," Dalai said.

Following a directive of Orissa High Court, the bus parking lots were inaugurated on March 11 with an aim to streamline vehicular traffic on the 2.5km stretch from Badambadi to Link Road via Madhupatna.

A visit to the stretch, however, lays bare Dalai's claim.

Despite initiatives, nearly 10 to 15 buses are still parked on the road round the clock. The illegal encroachment of the road is causing problems to commuters.

"Only a handful of buses are violating the order. We hope that the police will take necessary action to end the menace," said Kusum Pradhan, another resident.

Pradhan said over 100 buses could be parked in the two dedicated parking lots on Link Road. The cops should impose a restriction on the buses dropping passengers at multiple junctions.

"We will soon submit a memorandum to the police urging them to ensure that all buses entering the city from Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state drop passengers at dedicated parking lots on Link Road," said Dilip Pradhan, another commuter.This effectively end the menace of illegal parking, the police also needs to tow away vehicles that occupy road space in violation of the order.

However, the police do not have towing vehicles that can remove buses. The cops have to do with only three towing vehicles that can lift four-wheelers and mini-trucks.