Traffic congestion at Khandagiri Square. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 14: Traffic management at Khandagiri Square, which has witnessed several accidents in the past, remains a challenge for policemen as commuters converge there from six sides.

During peak hours — 9.30am to 11.30am and 4.30pm to 6.30pm — the square becomes chaotic with the traffic cops struggling to control the crowd.

On December 1, 2013, three people were killed and a dozen got injured after a sand-laden truck, coming down from the Khandagiri hills, had rammed into several vehicles and pedestrians.

On March 31 last year, three persons, including two engineering students, died when a truck hit a car.

Former Dumduma councillor Kartik Sundaray said: “The service road connecting Khandagiri Square to Dumduma, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Kanungo Institute of Diabetic Specialties and Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management has become another death trap with reports of at least 12 deaths in the past four years.”

“As there is no way left for the pedestrians to pass through, in October last, three pedestrians died after being hit by four-wheelers,” said Sundaray.

The service road going towards the Baramunda bus stand from the foothills of Udayagiri and the road coming from the Baramunda-end towards Khandagiri are causing pressure on the traffic cops as there is no proper barricading between the NH and the service roads.

The local regional transport office had submitted a report to the state government on the changes to be done at the square and to include signage and remove encroachment from roadside.

While the civic authorities last year conducted eviction drives to remove encroachments from the main roads, the service roads are still infested with encroachments. There is also no addition of any new signage on the square to make people follow the rules.

Traffic inspector Surendra Bal said: “The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has to plan a long-term strategy for the square, and if we are asked to give suggestions, then also we can provide them inputs from better safety.”

A senior engineer, P.N. Rao from the highways authority, said: “We have submitted a six-lane plan for the stretch beyond Baramunda covering Khandagiri Square. The work is done till Baramunda in the city. Once we get a green signal, we will proceed.”

He, however, could not say anything on the flyover being planned on the stretch.

“Regarding the chaos on the service roads, along the NH, the engineer said the traffic volume in the city had gone up manifold and more tourists were coming to Khandagiri-Udayagiri causing a congestion. The service roads should also be kept free from encroachment,” said another official.

The country is now observing road safety week, which will continue till Saturday. “The highways authority, police and the works departments must chalk out a plan for Khandagiri, so that the traffic problem is managed properly,” said Kalinga Nagar resident Parthasarathi Das.