Illegal parking chokes NH-16, accidents rise

PRABHAT PANIGRAHI, OP

Khordha: Unauthorised parking of heavy vehicles at more than 50 locations along the Brahmapur-Khordha stretch of NH-16 is narrowing the highway and posing a serious road safety threat, according to local residents. The approximately 150-160 km stretch has witnessed frequent roadside parking of trucks and other heavy vehicles, particularly near commercial establishments, with residents alleging that the practice is contributing to accidents. As many as 720 road accidents claiming 223 lives were reported in different road safety zones of Khordha district during the first six months of this year, according to data presented before the District Road Safety Committee.

The figures are higher than the 650 accidents and 202 deaths recorded during the corresponding period in 2025. Residents said heavy vehicles are parked at several locations, including Gangapada Square, Jatani bypass, Totapada, Daleiput, CC Square, Nijigarh, Tapang, Malipada, Godi Pokhari, Rameswar, Tangi-Chandpur bypass, Balugaon, Banpur bypass and Nachuni. Trucks parked near dhabas, shops and other commercial establishments often obstruct traffic, they alleged. At Gangapada Square alone, 12 people have reportedly died in road accidents over the past 10 months. Residents claimed that more than 50 accidents and over 20 deaths have been reported in various areas over the past year. On September 20, a goods truck met with an accident at Totapada Square under Khordha Model police station limits, killing the driver and helper. The parking problem is also being attributed to inadequate truck parking facilities. A road safety report had pointed out that transporters of ten park trucks on NH-16 due to lack of adequate parking space.

Trucks carrying goods from Andhra Pradesh towards Bhubaneswar, Kataka and Kolkata are not allowed on the highway until 10 pm. As a result, they reportedly remain parked in long queues along the Pitapalli-Mendhasala road from around 6 pm.

Poor lighting on the stretch further increases the accident risk, residents said. Locals have sought details from the authorities on the functioning and capacity of truck terminals near Khordha, besides the number of unauthorised parking spots, challans issued and vehicles removed from the highway. The views of officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Transport Department could not be obtained.