Khariar Road: In a fresh notification to streamline traffic movement on crowded Khariar Road town, entry of heavy vehicles has been banned between 8.30AM to 10.30AM and 5.30PM to 8.30PM here in Nuapada district.
Keeping in mind the fast deteriorating traffic system in the area, the district administration finally issued a directive about ‘no entry’ for heavy and commercial vehicles, giving a relief to the locals here.
Sources said, National Highway-353 passes through Khariar Road, the business hub of the district. Hundreds of vehicles ply on this stretch on a daily basis, making it a nightmare for commuters to pass through the road.
The situation was so worse that at least three commuters were killed in road mishap in past one week, resulting in a protest by the locals.
In bid to get the stretch free from congestion, the administration had earlier launched an eviction drive and freed the road from encroachers.
Finding that the eviction hardly solved the problem, the town dwellers demanded for a restriction on the plying of the heavy vehicles. The administration has finally clamped the restriction as per the demands of the locals.
However, the prohibited vehicles are now parked at both ends of the town – Gotama square and near Jonk river which has further added to the woes of the locals.
While the no entry resolution has brought a sigh of relief for people who can now move freely in the market, the parking of the heavy on Gotama square and Jonk river square has not gone well with the residents. They demanded an alternative for parking.
On the other hand, the ‘no entry’ restriction has not gone well with heavy vehicle owners. Now, the people of Nuapada town, who have been facing with similar traffic problems, have demanded for implication of similar ban on traffic movement in the town too.
But, as the towns do not have bypasses, the traffic problems will continue to be there, locals alleged.
PNN
