Cops step in to control traffic congestion at Ranihaat, College Square and Mangalabag areas in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, April 28: The police today launched a massive drive from College Square to Mangalabag to crack down on errant vehicles and their owners. This stretch is one of the busiest in the city.

More than 50 vehicles were impounded and the owners slapped with fines for parking in no-parking zones. Besides this, a number of shopkeepers and other roadside vendors were also fined for illegal encroachments, which were creating problems in the smooth flow of traffic.

While the fine amount for four-wheelers parked in no-parking zones was Rs 500, for two-wheelers it was Rs 100.

“A high-power committee headed by police commissioner B.K. Sharma has been formed following the direction of the honourable high court. Similar drives to check traffic violations in the city will continue,” said deputy commissioner of police, Amitendra Nath Sinha.

On an average, the traffic police collect around Rs 40,000 to Rs 45,000 as fine per day from various violators in the city and the National Highway up to Phulnakahra. Just in the last couple of days, around Rs1 lakh was collected as fine. In March, traffic police collected Rs 15 lakh as fine.

“Every possible step is being taken to enforce rules and streamline traffic system in the city. Drives against illegal parking and encroachment are being carried on a regular basis,” said assistant commissioner of police (traffic), K.C. Samal.

Besides this, cases have been registered against eight autorickshaws in the city for transporting children beyond the permissible limit. According to officials, the seized vehicles are only released after an issuance order from the high court. Earlier, the court had issued an order according to which autorickshaws were permitted to carry a maximum of three passengers.

The drive against illegal parking and other traffic violations will continue in areas such as Buxi Bazar and Howrah motors.

“Effort to streamline the traffic system is a welcome step. But what is also needed is to improve the existing infrastructure and create adequate parking lots. Because of space constraints, many people park their vehicles on the roadside,” said a commuter.