Illegally parked vehicles and unauthorised vending zones encroach upon Bajrakabati Road in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Oct. 2: Police have decided to launch an eviction drive to decongest major roads in the city before the Dussehra festival.

Roadside encroachments will be cleared along all prominent Cuttack streets, while steps will also be taken to ensure that Puja pandals adhere to the fire safety norms.

Four temporary fire stations will also come up at Lalbag, Gaurishankar park, Madhupatna and Debigada to deal with emergencies during the festive period.

“We have decided to carry out the eviction drive to facilitate smooth flow of traffic during Dussehra,” said deputy commissioner of police S. Praveen Kumar.

Another senior police officer said that they would also request various Puja committees to assist them in carrying out the eviction drive.

The eviction drive is likely to start in a couple of days and encroachments will be cleared from all major thoroughfares, including Bajrakabati, Ranihat, Mangalabag, Choudhry Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Dolmundai and Mahatab Road.

“Many parking lots are being encroached upon at various places, causing inconvenience to commuters. We will evict encroachers from the parking lots as well,” said assistant commissioner of police (traffic) Pramod Rath.

A police official said elaborate plans were also being made for traffic diversion and implementation of one-way trafficking during Dusshera.

More than 120 traffic constables and 100 home guards will be deployed to regulate traffic at various junctions in Cuttack during the fesitvities.