Bhubaneswar: Despite the prior announcement of restrictions on vehicular movement for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in the state, traffic on major thoroughfares across Bhubaneswar came to a grinding halt Wednesday. The situation was exacerbated, especially, on the route connecting Nalco Square and Acharya Vihar Square, with many commuters stuck for more than an hour. To ensure smooth movement of vehicles during the high-profile event, the Commissionerate Police restricted vehicular movement on the stretch from Jayadev Vihar to Nalco Square from 2 pm to 7 pm. It created a compulsion among the commuters to opt for the Acharya Vihar route, particularly those travelling to the Chandrasekharpur area of the City.
As seen, it turned out even worse with vehicles of BJP supporters being parked in the middle of the road and no cop around to break the logjam. Snarls were reported near Doordarshan Kendra, Nalco Square, Press Chhak, Omfed Chhak and Acharya Vihar Square. Major traffic jams were witnessed even in the narrow lanes near Sainik School and Gadakana, among others. Janmajay Mohaptra, who commutes daily from the Infocity area to Rasulgarh, said, “The traffic from Nalco Square towards Jayadev Vihar was diverted. Despite assessing the huge volume of rush from Kalinga Hospital to Acharya Vihar, the Commissionerate Police did not undertake any pre-emptive measures. It was a chock-a-block situation, making several stranded for long period.”
DEBADURLLAV HARICHANDAN, OP
