Jajpur Road: Traffic problems have been a great cause of concern for the people of this town in Jajpur district.
Due to the ever growing traffic problem, patients visiting the Jajpur road hospital are the worst sufferers. Since the railway level crossing is on the road, most of the time vehicles are seen stranded on the both sides of the gate. Even ambulances are more often than not seen stuck in the traffic jam.
In a recent case, an ambulance taking a terminally ill patient to the hospital was seen stranded in the jam near Dak Bungalow square Sunday. Some local youths attempted to clear the road to give way to the ambulance, but failed in their attempts.
Later, police reached the spot and cleared the traffic so that the ambulance could go to the hospital.
According to the local residents, the problem has gone bad to worse and it is because the town is devoid of traffic police. Home Guards are manning the traffic posts. Besides, almost all the traffic posts have been in dilapidated condition owing to a lack of maintenance.
Sources said that the then Jajpur superintendent of police had prepared a blue print for effective traffic management and sent the same to the home department for approval. But the file is allegedly gathering dust at the concerned department.
Similarly, it was decided at a meeting held in 2017 that traffic signal system to be installed at Chorda Square, Bypass square, Gopabandhu square and Dala square. But, nothing has been done in this regard, the local people alleged.
At the same time, the stretch from Biju Patnaik marg to Fire Station has aggravated the situation. The road has been under construction for 12 years now. And, according to the concerned department officials, it would take two years more for its completion.
The traffic problem is at its worst at Dala square, Nahaka square, Chorada bypass, Chorada square, Fire Station square, Dhabalagiri square, Dak Bungalow square, Court square, Bus stand and Railway station. The ever-growing problem has been ascribed to the hundreds of heavy vehicles from Kalinganagar industrial area plying through the town.
When contacted, Jajpur sub-divisional police officer Kedarnath Sahu said a report would be prepared after holding a discussion with Kalinganagar additional district magistrate next month. Traffic signal systems would be installed at Court square, Chorada square and Gopabandhu square on priority basis and later on the facility would be made available at other places as well.
PNN
