Encroachments cause traffic snarls 

JHARSUGUDA:  Unabated encroachment in Jharsuguda and Brajrajnagar township is causing several inconveniences to commuters, including traffic congestion. Blame it on the illegal stalls or other establishments along the roads, there is hardly any space left for parking vehicles.Shopkeepers and vendors have encroached most of the footpaths of Brajrajnagar and Jharsuguda main roads, putting lives of pedestrians in risk. Small vendors sell their product on the roads. 

Locals alleged that the authorities had failed to act against encroachers. Adding to the woes of commuters, plying of rickshaws and loading rehris on the road causes further congestion of traffic. “The number of vehicles plying on the road is gradually increasing in both the towns. However, the parking space remains constant. Illegal encroachment is a problem,” said Venugopal Panigrahi, a councillor.

“It seems the authority of municipality is protecting the encroachers. They have not taken any action against the violators,” said Prashant Mohanty, a resident of BTM area.Executive Officer of Jharsugada Municipality RC Pradhan said they had started an eviction drive that had to be stopped due to a lot of political interferences from all quarters. When contacted, Superintendent of Police (SP) AK Mohanty said he was monitoring the situation. “Illegal encroachments on footpaths and drains would be evicted soon,” he added.