Vehicles parked along Ring Road and on its divider in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Nov. 8: Parking on road dividers and pavements has now become a regular feature on Ring Road.

The problem has assumed serious proportions from Matamatha Chhak to SCB Medical College and Hospital, where a number of private nursing homes and diagnostic centres have come up.

Besides causing damage to the existing infrastructure, it is also affecting the smooth flow of traffic in the areas.

“A lot of vehicles, including cars, autorickshaws and trucks, can be found parked on the pavement and road dividers, hardly leaving any space for the pedestrians,” said Sanatan Sahu, 46, a commuter.

Sahu said this had become a regular feature and no step was being taken to ensure proper barricading of the road divider.

Such illegal parking along Ring Road also made commuters vulnerable to accidents.

Local residents said people, who visit the private nursing homes and clinics, parked their cars on the road dividers owing to the absence of parking lots.

Similarly, the parking of vehicles on the pavement, too, is causing a lot of problem for the pedestrians and joggers who go for evening walks from Matamatha to Jobra park.

Cuttack Municipal Corporation officials said there were 20 identified parking lots in the city. Sites for setting up 22 other parking lots have already been identified and the work is expected to begin shortly.

Traffic officials said they were aware of the problem and steps would soon be initiated to prevent illegal parking on road dividers.

“Vehicles parked by the Ring Road are being fined on regular intervals. Steps would also be taken to prevent the parking of vehicles on road dividers,” said an official.

The official added that the irrigation department had been asked to carry out proper maintenance and barricading of the road divider.