Bolangir: Illegal parking of heavy vehicles, including trucks, is the root cause of accidents on National Highways (NH) in Odisha, many have opined. This matter has assumed significance after the accident in this district claimed five lives a few days back. In the mishap, a car crashed into a stationary truck parked near Chhuinbancha Square on Sambalpur-Bolangir National Highway-26. Residents have pointed out that accidents frequently occur in the vicinity where the mishap took place. They blamed the illegal parking of trucks on the highway as the main reason behind the accident. However, this is not an isolated incident in this district alone. Trucks are illegally parked on highways in many districts including Sundargarh and Khurda.
However, truck drivers who park their vehicles on NH-26 said that they have no other option as there is no designated parking area for them. Mohit, a driver from Andhra Pradesh informed us that trucks are not allowed to pass through Bolangir town from 6.00 am to 12 midnight. As a result, they have no option but to wait on the highway at various entry points.
However, illegal parking is not a problem in the Bolangir district alone. Hundreds of heavy vehicles can be found parked on both sides of the road on NH-16 in Khurda district. This affects the normal movements of other vehicles and traffic snarls are a regular problem. The situation in Koida of Sundargarh district is similar. Residents pointed out that the number of accidents due to illegally parked trucks is increasing. They demanded action from the district administration and said that designated parking places should be assigned for heavy vehicles to prevent loss of lives and injuries.