Angul, May 22: Angul municipal authorities have decided to launch an encroachment clearance drive very shortly in the main bazaar area of the town. Encroachments are causing serious traffic problems there.

The road from Hotel Shanti to Harimuiri Chhack is not only narrow but also in a very bad condition causing immense problems to pedestrians and those travelling in cars. The situation gets very difficult in the evening and during festive times. “The situation here last Laxmi Puja was terrible due to the mad rush in this narrow road,” said Prasant Pradhan, a local resident.

The clearance of encroachment was decided at the municipal council meeting and the decision was later endorsed by a district level official and citizens meeting held recently.

“The one-and-a-half kilometre road from Raja Chhack to Harinmouri Chhack will be cleared of all encroachments to make the busy market road wide,” said the municipal executive officer, Padmanav Nayak.“We have got a special grant of Rs 25 lakh by which repairs of the road will be taken up. As we will require more funds, we will ask state road and building department to take up the remaining work,” said Nayak, adding that no prior notice was given to those concerned about the anti-encroachment drive.

The municipal authorities would also go for a encroachment-clearance drive in wards 12, 8 and 21.