Goods vehicles barred from using city part of NH-16 during evening hours

Bhubaneswar: City police have re-imposed restrictions on movement of goods vehicles on NH-16 through Bhubaneswar during evening hours to tackle severe traffic bottlenecks. The curb will be in force from 5 pm to 10 pm.
On Thursday, commissioner of police S Dev Datta Singh issued an order, highlighting the traffic restrictions for trucks, with penalties ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for violations. According to the directive, NH-16 experiences significant congestion from 5 pm to 10 pm, causing public inconvenience. "Cuttack-bound goods carriers (six or more-wheeler trucks) approaching from Khurda will divert at Pitapalli Chhak via Chandaka. Additionally, goods trucks from Mancheswar industrial area cannot travel towards Rasulgarh on NH-16 during these hours," Singh's order said.
"This order is passed in the larger interest of public safety. Violation of the order attracts a minimum fine of Rs 500 which can extend up to Rs 1,000," the police commissioner said.
Although similar restrictions existed earlier, enforcement was inadequate. The issue of traffic chaos was discussed in a meeting between chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and senior police officers last week. Majhi expressed his concerns on the congestion and unregulated traffic on the NH-16, particularly near Satsang Vihar, Rasulgarh, and Palasuni, triggering frequent accidents.
"We will ensure strict implementation of the order. Traffic police personnel have been asked to remain vigilant during 5 pm to 10 pm daily. Not just the violators will be fined, erring traffic cops on duty will be taken to task for their negligence," another police officer said. Police said efforts are on to reduce congestion on other city routes, including Cuttack Road and Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan stretch, where slow-moving traffic has been a cause for concern.
In Dec, chief minister Majhi stressed improving public transport and traffic management. He said the govt plans several road projects to reduce congestion in Bhubaneswar. The works department has proposed multiple projects, including a Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan connection, a ring road from Patia railway station to NH-16, and upgrades to Sundarpada-Jatni road, Pitapalli-Trisulia road, and Institute of Mathematics to Ekamra Kanan route.
Future traffic relief projects include a flyover from Kalpana Square to Ravi Talkies, a rail over bridge from Sishu Bhawan to Mausima Chhak, and an inner ring road connecting various areas, including Tamando, Paikrapur, and Chandaka, govt sources said.