Semiliguda: Normal life in Semiliguda of Koraput district is facing severe disruption due to persistent congestion of the road caused by unregulated parking outside major shopping malls, sources said Saturday.
People visiting major shopping malls in the town are parking their vehicles in front of these facilities, causing major inconvenience to the commuters and the general public at large.
Although these commercial establishments have designated parking spaces, poor management and lack of enforcement have led to customers and delivery vehicles occupying public roads to park their vehicles which result in frequent traffic jams all through the day.
This also adversely impacts thousands of commuters, local traders, transport operators, and even emergency services.
The situation worsens during peak shopping hours when the roads become almost impassable, affecting business and travel across the town. Rajendra Prasad, chairman of Sunabeda Municipality, acknowledged the issue.
He said, “We are aware of the traffic congestion caused by unregulated parking outside these malls.
The municipality has already raised this issue with the Koraput district administration.
However, the matter is yet to be resolved due to a lack of coordinated action.”
He added that a joint meeting involving the traffic department and mall authorities will soon be convened to ensure better parking management and smoother traffic flow.
He assured that the necessary steps would be taken soon. Expressing strong concern, Saroj Samal, President of Neelanchal Market, said that residents, commuters and local business owners are bearing the brunt of administrative inaction.
“If the authorities continue to ignore the issue, we will be forced to stage a protest demanding immediate corrective action,” he warned. Despite repeated complaints, visible enforcement is still missing.
As frustration grows among locals, the demand for strict and swift intervention becomes louder.
Observers said that, without immediate administrative action, the issue risks snowballing into a full-scale civic problem.
PNN