Bhubaneswar, Jan. 17: The Mahatma Gandhi Marg, stretching from Master Canteen Square to PMG Square, is the venue of rallies and demonstrations.

When Assembly sessions kick off, people residing along the road are the worst victims of noise pollution and road blockades.

The aggrieved residents filed a petition in the high court in 2007 requesting the state government to find an alternative venue for demonstrations.

The high court had directed the city police and home department to look into the complaint. The home department, in an affidavit, informed the court that the police had earmarked three sites — Exhibition Ground, Janata Maidan and Kalinga Stadium — as alternative venues. However, no decision to this effect has yet been taken.

“There is no peace of mind here. The speakers are in full blast throughout the day, which apart from posing health hazards create trouble for children to study properly. Not just rallies, even Republic Day and Independence Day parade rehearsals are held on this stretch. The noise is painful,” said K Jayalaxmi, an 80-year-old resident.

Her neighbour Tarulata Mohanty nodded in consent: “The police cordons off this area during rallies and prevents us from entering our own residences. Despite repeated appeals to the police to take care of our misery, nothing has been done. Some even approached the chief minister, but we have not heard from him yet.”