Cuttack's Vital Transport Artery Paralyzed by Illegal Parking
The bustling Madhupatana-Badambadi road in Cuttack has transformed into a complete traffic nightmare for daily commuters. This crucial 3.2-kilometer stretch, which connects thousands of passengers to the Badambadi bus stop and various commercial hubs, now faces severe congestion throughout the day due to rampant illegal parking by buses, auto-rickshaws, and private vehicles on both sides of the road.
Commuters Bear the Brunt of Traffic Chaos
Despite numerous public complaints, enforcement agencies have consistently failed to address the growing problem. The situation has become so critical that long-distance buses parked haphazardly on the road have dramatically reduced available space, forcing other vehicles to crawl even during non-peak hours.
Local vendor Lingaraj Sahoo, who operates a tea stall near Madhupatna, confirmed that buses remain parked for hours without any fear of penalties. "Police vehicles pass through regularly, but they take no action against the illegal parking. The entire stretch becomes completely paralyzed during evening hours," Sahoo reported.
The deteriorating conditions affect commuters like Anupama Das, who regularly uses this route to reach her workplace in Palamandap. "During office hours, it takes me nearly 20 minutes to cross just half a kilometer near Badambadi. The complete absence of enforcement is alarming. If authorities don't intervene immediately, this road will become permanently unmanageable," Das expressed with frustration.
Authorities Respond with Promised Action
ACP Traffic (Cuttack) Sushant Kumar Dora acknowledged the severe congestion caused by illegal parking along the Madhupatana–Badambadi corridor. "Our teams have initiated measures including issuing challans and towing unattended vehicles. We plan to launch a coordinated drive with the bus association shortly to clear the stretch and restore smooth traffic flow," Dora stated.
Meanwhile, local residents and commuters are demanding immediate collaborative action between civic authorities and traffic police. Their key demands include creating designated parking zones, implementing strict penalty systems, and preventing buses from using public roads as permanent parking spots.
The situation continues to worsen daily, with the road's capacity reduced to a fraction of its intended function, highlighting the urgent need for permanent solutions to Cuttack's growing traffic management challenges.
