Cuttack, March 15: Problems of commuters caused by chaotic traffic came up for discussion at a police-public interface held here today.

Traders and residents of Balu Bazaar also used the platform to air grievance over introduction of paid parking at Nayasarak. The residents demanded the exclusion of two-wheelers from the paid parking system.

"Most of us face trouble getting out of our homes as vehicles are being parked right outside," said local puja committee president Suryakant Sanganeria.

Sanganeria said the overall business of the small traders, including a few medicine shops, had been adversely affected by the paid parking system.

Police commissioner R.P. Sharma said: "The police-public interface was held to listen to the problems of the local residents and seek their support in curbing crimes and maintaining law and order."

Another local resident said those visiting a chemist shop to purchase medicine had to pay for parking vehicles even if it is for only 10 minutes.

At present, Rs 5 per hour is being charged for parking two-wheelers and three-wheelers, while four-wheelers owners are paying Rs 10 per hour.

"We have urged senior officials to consider withdraw parking charges for two-wheelers as the business of many local traders has already been hit," Sanganeria said.

Following the decision taken at the high-level meeting of the traffic management committee last month, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation introduced the paid parking system at Nayasarak.

Though traders had opposed the system, it was implemented to streamline vehicular traffic at the stretch connecting Nayasarak to Orissa High Court via Balu Bazaar.

A resident, however, blamedthe ongoing work of the integrated sanitation project for the traffic chaos and congestion.

Massive construction is being executed under the Japan International Cooperation Agency project.

"There is utter chaos in every lane of the city. The ongoing work has become an irritant for the commuters," said Dilip Sahu, a resident of Alamchand Bazaar.

Sahu said senior police officials had assured us of measures to ensure fast completion of the work.

The issue related to the safety of senior citizens was also raised.

A resident said thattelephone numbers of the local police station and officials concerned should be printed on the identity cards issued to senior citizens.