Vehicles parked and (below) construction materials dumped on both sides of the roads at Buxi Bazar in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, March 4: Traffic congestion on the major streets of Cuttack has become a common feature.

Lack of adequate measures to repair and scope to expand the roads are creating problems in the smooth movement of traffic on major streets, including Buxi Bazar, which is the largest commercial centre in the city.

Buxi Bazar is the gateway to many educational institutions, including prominent schools and colleges located at Mission Road, Chandi Square and Kanika and Shelter Square.

“There is a heavy rush at Buxi Bazar from 10am to 8pm. Office goers, school students and other commuters use the road to reach their destinations,” said local resident Kailash Behera (42).

Buxi Bazar also acts as a connecting link between Orissa High Court with College Square via Choudhry Bazar, Darghabazar and Tinikonia Bagicha and railway station via Matamath, Cantonment and Manglabag areas.

“Everyday, we suffer due to traffic congestions starting from Buxi Bazar up to College Square as we have to travel through Matamath, Cantonment and Manglabag areas. These areas remain jam-packed during peak hours,” said Nishikant Nayak (35), a businessman.

A commuter is left with no choice but to avoid these roads as most of the major shops, educational institutions, hospitals and other commercial establishments of the city are located here. Similarly, lack of parking spaces is also affecting the smooth flow of traffic as many people are parking their vehicles on both sides of the road, Nayak added.

“Though traffic signals were introduced by the city police at major crossings, most of those are not functioning. The signal at Buxi Bazar, which is one of the busiest roads in the city, also has remained dysfunctional for years. Moreover, there is absolutely no measure to streamline traffic movement from Darghabazar and Cantoment Road areas that converge at Buxi Bazar,” said Bimal Ray, another local resident.

On the other hand, traffic police sources informed that a lot of measures have been introduced to regulate traffic in the city.

“Orissa High Court has approved the proposal to establish a new structure in place of the existing circular crossing at Buxi Bazar, which is blocking a large portion of the main road. A small circular crossing would be established and unnecessary encroachment would be lifted,” said a traffic officer.

There is also a plan to create a parking space near Buxi Bazar petrol pump, which is expected to ease traffic congestion to some extent.

Though electronic traffic signals were introduced, the signals have been lifted for execution of proposals, including creation of the small circular crossing.

Concrete dividers in place of existing plastic ones would also be established at suitable places to regulate traffic movement. Electronic traffic signals would also be reintroduced after all the proposed works are completed, the traffic officer added.