The 3.3-km stretch from Rasulgarh square to Kuakhai bridge in the capital has become unsafe for commuters of the twin city. Worst affected are two-wheeler riders, whose movement on the highway overlaps with speeding four-wheelers and heavy transport vehicles. Adding to the woes, construction work of the flyover at Rasulgarh square has placed traffic management in a complete mess.
National Highway 203 to Puri starts at this junction, which also happens to be entry and exit point of the capital. Apart from this, the road leading to Mancheswar industrial estate also originates from this crossing. Such a complex contour chokes this intersection with vehicles all round the day.
Nineteen people had died in 49 accidents in this area last year. Locals blamed the police for not managing traffic properly. “The traffic rule violators, especially the ones emerging from wrong sides, should be reprimanded, but they manage to escape,” said a betel shop owner near Palasuni square.
Two service roads, which are in good condition, run parallel to this expanse of the highway. “The service roads are precisely used as parking lots. They can facilitate seamless movement of two-wheelers, reducing their exposure to heavy vehicles plying on the main road,” said a retired professor of Rasulgarh area.
But police are blaming the commuters for errant driving. “People do not follow the rules and get away after paying fine for traffic violations,” said Bharat Sahoo, Inspector-in-charge of Mancheswar police station. “Lack of manpower prevents us from apprehending all the traffic offenders, who ply without a helmet or with two pillion riders,” he added.