Motorists and pedestrians (below) use the cut-point on National Highway No. 5 near Samrat Talkies at Madhupatna. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Aug. 27: The reopening of a cut-point in front of Samrat Talkies near Madhupatna on the NH-5 after a year has resulted in the return of traffic chaos in the area.

Motorists are risking their lives to cross the busy junction using the small opening on the highway, which is also causing severe inconvenience to other commuters.

“It is an accident-prone zone, which is why the traffic cops had closed the cut-point to ensure the safety of motorists a year ago. The cut-point should not have been opened again,” said Subhendu Mishra, a motorist.

Mishra, who stays at Jagatpur, frequently uses the highway to go to Bhubaneswar.

“Earlier, commuters had to be very cautious while passing through Madhupatna junction as many vehicles used to cross over to the road through the cut-point. But, vehicular movement was streamlined following the closure of the cut-point about a year ago,” Mishra said.

The cut-point near Samrat talkies helps local residents and commuters to move towards Kalyani Nagar, Rajendra Nagar, Matru Bhavan, OMP Square, Link Road and Badambadi from either side.

After a series of accidents at the junction, the opening was closed and commuters were asked to use the approach roads on both sides of the highway to travel from one side to the other.

“Though we have to travel an extra 500 metres to move from Kalyani Nagar side to Rajendra Nagar in the absence of the cut-point, it is relatively safer,” said Kailash Das, a local resident.

Many local residents and commuters have requested the authorities to close the opening at the earliest.

The local residents have also requested the highway and the traffic police authorities for a zebra crossing and adequate signage for the safety of pedestrians in the area.

“Some unidentified goons have cut the barricade and opened the cut-point on the highway a few days ago. We have already received complaints about irregularities at the particular crossing and the opening will be closed at the earliest,” said assistant commissioner of police (traffic) Pramod Rath.