Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 3: Night commuters invariably throw traffic regulations to the wind and press on the accelerator when they enter the 22-km stretch of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar road.
The NH users are not worried about police penalty for rash driving, but are scared of highwaymen who chase passing vehicles on this road.
“I spotted a few men by the roadside. They tried to stop my car, but I sped and managed to get away,” said Abhishek Mohanty, a Cuttack based businessman.
Residents of nearby villages claim that such incidents are frequent in the area. A resident of Phulnakhra said, “It is easy for criminals to target vehicles between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar during nights as virtually there is no police patrolling. The road has no lights either.”
A shopkeeper at Hanspal, said: “Though senior police officers have made provision for police patrolling in the area, cops are rarely seen after sun sets.”
However, assistant commissioner of police Bishnu Mishra rubbished the claims of the commuters and said there is adequate patrolling on the 22-km stretch of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar road.
“If there is need, the PCR vehicles will reach within five minutes,” he exuded confidence.
Contacted by Orissa Post, Orissa DGP Sanjeev Marik said he was out of state for some time and could not comment immediately.