Cuttack, Jan. 4: Reach Barabati Stadium without hassle via Ring Road to watch the One Day International between India and England on January 19.

Most of the spectators from Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, Choudwar and nearby localities can expect easy access to the match venue as a joint eviction squad has cleared illegal encroachments on a nearly 2km stretch from Matamatha to Jobra on the Ring Road.

The squad today pulled down over 14 encroachments, including a number of roadside kiosks and eateries, and a fine of over Rs 8,000 was realised from them. The move aimed to streamline traffic ahead of the crucial match. The stretch has connectivity to Choudwar as well as College Square and the National Highway No. 5 via Sikharpur and Jobra. It bears the brunt of extra rush of commuters during matches at the stadium.

Assistant commissioner of police (traffic) P.K. Dalai said: "We have pulled down illegal encroachments on both sides of the Ring Road. We plan to remove all such squatters from the entire stretch of the road."

Water resource department's assistant executive engineer P.N. Behera said the work to repair the road from Jobra ahead of the match had started. "The eviction drive will facilitate smooth flow of vehicular traffic as all the encroachments have been cleared in the special drive," said Behera.

At present, the commuters are having a harrowing time in covering the stretch from the Sikharpur end towards the stadium because of illegal encroachments and parking, mostly by four-wheelers on the footpath and road divers.

A lot of commuters, mostly from near Malgodown police station and Jobra, use the road.