Angul: Keeping pace with the increasing population as well as number of vehicles on roads in the industrial town of Angul, traffic snarls have been a growing menace in this district.
Despite Angul administration widening the district roads, there has been no improvement in the situation. It is said that illegal off-road parking of heavy vehicles and buses is the root cause of it.
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Allegedly, Angul transport department authorities neither carry out regular checking nor impose penalties on wrongdoers. This town has a separate parking area which is meant for heavy vehicles.
Even as there is rule to obtain permission from the department for off-road parking, vehicle owners flout norms in their own interest. The national highway that passes through Angul town often gets jammed. It is seen that large number of heavy vehicles park along the road from Nalco site up to Angul town. Similar situations are found at fire station office in the town up to Hulurisingha road.
Likewise, the road stretching from town bus stand up to DIC square, from station square up to town high school square and girls’ high school road face the same fate.
On being contacted, regional transport officer (RTO) Angul Jitendra Kumar Bhoi said, “Necessary focus has not been given as the district administration is otherwise busy in COVID-19 management. However, stringent actions will be taken against persons responsible for either on-road or off-road parking within Angul town area.”
Giving his views, Angul private bus owners’ association president Raju Mishra said, “There is insufficient space for parking at the local bus stand. Construction of a modern bus terminal is underway for the past seven years.”
The issue was raised time and again at district level road safety meetings. As the district administration shows no interest, bus owners are being compelled to park vehicles on roadside, Mishra added.
PNN