By Sandeep Dwivedy
Post News Network
Cuttack, Jan 11: Non-functional traffic signals have made commuting a nightmare for the residents of Cuttack, who are already suffering because of the haphazard traffic and congested roads.
Some of the traffic lights are defunct, while others are malfunctioning leading to frequent mishaps across the city. Besides, traffic police is finding it tough to ensure smooth flow of traffic because of this.
The traffic signal at Buxi Bazaar area, where prominent schools and colleges are located, has not been working for several months. The Buxi Bazaar area witnesses a heavy rush of vehicles from the cantonment, Mission Road and Choudhry Bazaar leading to traffic snarls during peak hours that have irked commuters.
The traffic police is to be blamed for the chaos, according to Mohammed Shakeel, a resident of Buxi Bazaar.
The authorities just do not seem bothered about the state of affairs, he said.
The situation at College Square is no different. The area, in which Ravenshaw University is located, is crowded. The signal here has been defunct for many months. However, it has not been repaired, though the residents of the area have brought the issue to the attention of police and municipal authorities repeatedly, said sources.
“Lack of adequate measures to repair traffic signals is creating problems in the smooth movement of traffic on this street,” said Mayadhar Panda, a resident of Station Bazaar. Dolomundai and Bajrakabati Road are also busy traffic crossings in the city where traffic from Badambadi, Pithapur, Haripur Road and other prominent areas converge. The traffic lights are working in these places but the police personnel are missing most of the times from the traffic posts.
Of the 12 traffic posts in the city, only three to four electronic traffic lights are functional. There are signal posts at Madhupatna, Badambadi, Dolamundai, Bajrakabati, Khannagar, Mangalabag, Ranihat, Buxi Bazaar and College Square.
