Bhubaneswar: The city administration is planning to implement a congestion charge here to tackle the problem of choked roads and ensure smooth traffic flow.

To be named congestion charge, vehicles driving into choked roads will have to pay an entry fee and higher parking rates. The administration expects the charge will be a deterrent to those driving into congested areas and encourage greater use of public transport.

The system is already in place in London, New York, Milan and Singapore, while it is being implemented in New Delhi. Sources said before introducing the system the authorities would conduct a survey of city areas to find out the level of congestion.

The innovative step comes after the ministry of housing and urban affairs asked the city administration to find out ways to de-congest arterial roads to increase the city mobility quotient.

There are certain roads that remain congested despite the option of alternative routes. On the other hand, parking on main city arteries, including Janpath and Rajpath, reduces road width and causes congestion. Introduction of congestion charge on such roads will ease traffic flow and prompt people to use alternative modes.

If sources are to be believed, after the survey report, an electronic system, like the ones in London and Singapore, will be launched for smooth implementation of the congestion charge. The survey report will also explore the option of introducing one-way traffic on certain roads to make them congestion-free.

"We are already making efforts to promote non-motorised transport. It is also true that there cannot be a ban on private vehicles, but we have to come up with options to have a control on them. We will have a meeting regarding the congestion charging system before deciding on it," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

The plan is in sync with the smart city street design template that promotes pedestrian and cycle paths more than carriageways.

"It is necessary for the authorities to increase the number of city buses and promote public transport first than to come up with vague street designs. The congestion charge system, however, sounds good," said urban planner Ayush Mishra.