Traffic congestion on VSS Nagar Road in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 18: Residents of VSS Nagar today demanded removal of encroachment on the stretch connecting the locality to the area behind Sainik School .

They also demanded streamlining of traffic on this road that joins the National Highway No. 5 near Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Park.

The residents met Jatindra Panda, assistant commissioner of police, traffic, and conveyed him their concern over the situation and sought immediate remedial measures.

They alleged that encroachment by shops and other business establishments had narrowed down the road so much, that it now became difficult to drive or even walk on the stretch during the busy hours.

Besides, the residents have threatened agitation if a solution to their problems is not found quickly.

Even reaching the nearby VSS Nagar market becomes hard at times, said a local resident. The existence of a railway level crossing in the area had further complicated the situation.

Not only the residents of VSS Nagar, but also the people residing at Chakeisiani, Mancheswar, Idco Colony, Rangamatia and the Mancheswar industrial area use this road that connects several educational institutes located nearby.

It also acts as a link between Chandrashekharpur and Patia. Autorickshaws and other vehicles, too, are often found invariably parked on the road, creating inconvenience for the commuters.

To make things worse, the new flyover at Vani Vihar, instead of ensuring free flow of traffic from this area, has blocked its connecting point to the main road at Satsang Vihar.

“The market square is a mess during the peak hours. When the level crossing gate is closed, the traffic becomes completely chaotic. We have been complaining about the situation to the officials concerned, but to no avail,” said Bhramarabar Mohanty, president of the Rangamatia village management committee. The village falls in the area.

The committee members are planning to meet the officials again to put forward their demands.

Mohanty said the main road had originally been proposed to be 100-feet wide stretch, but it became much lesser wide when constructed. Now, rampant encroachment has shrunk it to 30 feet.

He said the authorities had measured the road several times in the past, but no steps to widen the stretch had been taken.

Dillip Dash Sharma, general secretary of the VSS Nagar development committee, said the situation could ease if an eviction drive was undertaken to remove encroachment on both sides of the level crossing.

Besides, he said frequent plying of heavy vehicles, which occasionally used the road as an alternative to the national highway, made the situation worse.

The local traders are also opposing the proposed railway overbridge at the level crossing — which made it difficult for the state government to acquire land for the purpose.

Panda, who visited the area to have a look at the situation, assured the residents of taking steps to streamline traffic on the stretch.

“We are planning to post a traffic police constable here. We will also take other measures to make things easy for the local residents,” he said.