Bhadrak: The traffic problem has turned acute in Bhadrak town, but the proposal for a traffic police station has been put on the backburner. The district police are now managing traffic in the town with the help of some havildars, people said.
They said that even some police officials not trained in traffic control are handling traffic. Traffic is under the control of the police in seven blocks and Bhadrak, Chandbali and Basudevpur towns.
The main road of Bhadrak municipality always sees vehicles moving at a snail’s pace. There are no parking lots inside the town. Roadside vendors occupy most of the space and add to traffic problems.
Stray cattle are seen resting on the road leading to traffic jams and accidents. However, the civic body has not done anything against the owners of the stray cattle.
Many vendors have opened shops along the street near the old Collectorate and near the office of the roads and building department.
Reports said the traffic problem may go out of control at Charampa Station Chhak, New Bus Stand Chhak, Motol Chhak, Town Hall Chhak, Bant Chhak, Bypass Chhak, Kacheri Chhak, State Bank Chhak and Rajghat Chhak.
Lakhs were spent from MPLAD funds in 2010 on marking zebra crossings on NH-16 and setting up automatic signal systems at some squares and traffic posts. They worked smoothly for some years. Now, the systems are in disuse as they are in bad shape. A traffic beat house built in 2012 at Bant Chhak is also in a state of dilapidation.
Various organisations and locals have demanded a traffic police station to deal with traffic management in the town.
ASP Kailash Chandra Parida said a proposal had been sent to the home department for a traffic police station in the town.
PNN