Rourkela, March 3: Commuters continue to suffer as traffic problems persist on two main arterial roads of the city.

The two roads on Plant Site and Traffic Gate areas are two of the most important entry and exit points to the business sector of the city.

"I feel I have made a mistake by having my shop on Plant Site Road," said a wholesaler. This particular road caters to the majority of the wholesalers in the city.

Earlier, the road was experiencing extreme traffic congestion throughout the day. In the past two months, traffic police were not allowing any of the light vehicles such as small trucks to park here. However, autorickshaws carrying goods and man-pulled trolley rickshaws are still crowding on the road causing congestion.

Besides, two-wheelers are parked on one side of the road, which adds to the problem.

"These two roads should be free from any parking. Parking spaces developed by the Rourkela Steel Plant should be put to use immediately to curb the traffic problem," said Mahesh Agarwal, a local shop owner.

Both the roads are very narrow, and there is no further scope of widening them. "Parking should only be allowed on emergency basis, else these two roads should be left free," said Manprit Singh.

Congestion on Plant Site Road leads to heavy traffic disruption on the main road, and sometimes it stretches beyond Daily Market and on the other side till Old Taxi Stand. The opening of the Big Bazar outlet in the old Razak Talkies area has further worsened the situation, as commuters throng the place.

"We need more traffic personnel to handle the situation at the stretch between Plant Site and Traffic Gate," said Rafiq, another local vendor.

Additional superintendent of police Subas Jamadar said the two roads still needed more attention.