May 21st 2024.
The city of Rourkela has been facing some issues with vehicular traffic, but it seems to be concentrated in specific areas rather than being a citywide problem. The main road in the walled city area, known as Steel City, has been plagued with consistent traffic issues that require a unique approach.
Some of the major areas that demand immediate attention include Bisra Chowk, Traffic Gate, STI Chowk, DAV Crossing, and the vicinity of Panposh Market. Interestingly, whenever a new Superintendent of Police takes charge in Rourkela, they promise to prioritize addressing these traffic issues. However, despite the media's continuous reminder about these five problematic spots, no action has been taken so far.
Fortunately, there haven't been any major accidents in these congested areas yet. However, minor collisions and road altercations have become a frequent occurrence in recent times.
According to an elderly resident who suffered a broken limb in a scooter accident, the auto-rickshaw drivers are a major nuisance on the roads. They seem to be completely oblivious to traffic rules and regulations, causing chaos and putting others at risk.
At Bisra Chowk, the situation worsens with the presence of fruit carts along with the three-wheelers parked all over the place. The peak hours of the 'A' and 'B' shifts add to the chaos, with over three thousand vehicles converging on this stretch of road. The nearby Traffic Gate area, which houses a large vegetable market, is no different. Stray animals, such as cows and bulls, further contribute to the accidents and confusion, along with irregularly parked auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers of buyers. Surprisingly, neither the city's municipal corporation nor the steel plant authorities have taken any measures to remove the stray animals from the roads.
A similar situation can be observed on the stretch of road from STI Chowk to Trishakti Mandir Chowk, leading to the popular Hanuman Vatika Complex. The newly built temple's entrance opens to this busy road, and even on regular days, the area remains heavily crowded. The STI Flyover, which cuts through this road, has hardly any traffic personnel to manage the flow of vehicles. As a regular commuter on this route, a woman expressed the need for stricter measures to control the traffic, rather than just relying on a couple of traffic personnel.
DAV Crossing, one of the busiest junctions in the city, experiences heavy traffic during school opening and closing hours. The Ring Road commuters add to the chaos, making the situation worse. On top of that, the bus bay has been taken over by fruit vendors, occupying the entire area and posing a potential danger to motorists.
At Panposh Chowk, the newly built market building is yet to be fully operational. As a result, the traffic snarls in this area resemble a jigsaw puzzle at any given time of the day. These issues call for immediate attention and action from the concerned authorities to ensure the safety and convenience of commuters in Rourkela.
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