Drivers negotiate the Rural District Police Office crossing on Ring Road in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, June 25: Commuters are facing inconvenience to commute on the crossing near the Rural District Police Office on Ring Road as the junction often remains unmanned.

At least five minor road accidents occurred at the crossing in past one-and-a-half week as no constable or home guard was deployed there.

“The traffic constables were pulled out from the junction as Orissa High Court was closed for vacation. Similarly, the constables were engaged to regulate rush at other prominent streets during Raja festival in the city,” said a senior official requesting anonymity.

The official further said that though the constables had been re-deployed at the junction, the commuters kept on alleging that the crossing remained unmanned during evening hours.

“The entire stretch lacks proper street lighting. The traffic officials should at least install cat’s eye studs to facilitate drivers to navigate the road during night,” said Kedar Swain, a commuter.

The cut-point near the Rural District Police Office is the converging point for vehicular traffic coming from Satichura, Puri Ghat (Ring Road) and from Chandini Chowk side.

Many commuters depend on the crossing to travel towards areas, including Chandni Chowk, Sishu Bhavan and other parts within the city.

“One need to be extra cautious while commuting or changing lanes at the crossing as many are often seen travelling on the wrong side,” said Manoranjan Dash, another commuter.

Dash said the traffic officials were taking no action to penalise the violators for driving on the wrong route.

Moreover, bus and autorickshaw drivers often use most of the area at the crossing to pick up and drop passengers.

Apart from this, the existing road dividers are left in a bad shape. As a result, the commuters often resort to jaywalking, leading to freak mishaps.

“Steps are being taken to regulate traffic flow at the junction,” said traffic ACP Pramod Rath.

Rath said a proposal for installation of electronic traffic signal at the crossing had been mooted and shortly the project would be implemented. Once the digital signalling is installed, all traffic irregularities will be resolved, he said.