Biju Janata Dal supporters and workers gathered in large number in state Capital to give a resounding welcome to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who arrived at Bhubaneswar airport on Tuesday after being conferred with Capital Foundation ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, in Delhi.
The huge welcome ceremony organised by the ruling party meanwhile brought the city traffic causing miserable traffic snarls in the city.
Commuters and office goers faced heavy jam, owing to rush of the party workers at major traffic junctions and at Biju Patnaik airport too. Due to its cascading effect, traffic also remained out of order at major squares like Vani Vihar Square, Acharya Vihar, Airport Square, Raj Mahal Square and Jaydev Vihar Square.
Biju Patnaik airport witnessed heavy rush due to the congregation BJD workers for which general passengers who were waiting to board flights had to face harrowing time. Exhausted with the noise at airport, some passengers were seen leaving the airport and walked all the way.
Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik returned to Odisha today after receiving Lifetime Achievement Award in presence of former Chief Justice of India Justice NV Ramana in recognition of his distinctive and outstanding leadership qualities. BJD activists left no stone unturned to give a rousing reception to the Chief Minister with a grand procession.
Thousands of vehicles from buses to ambulance had to stop in traffic due to the BJD function.
Narating the woes, a Bhubaneswar-based resident said, “We failed to reach office on time due to traffic snarl. Not a single road is free to ply due to gathering of BJD workers.”
Another passenger said, “I was on my way to drop my kid at her school. Due to traffic jam, she reached her classes quite late. She must have skipped her prayer session.”
Meanwhile, another commuted rued over the situation and claimed that he recieved a message from airport authorities to reach three hours before arrival time of my flight. However, I had to cancel ticket, he said.
On the other hand, Thakur Prasad Patra, Traffic DCP Bhubaneswar said, “We have made enough arrangements to regulate traffic. We are trying our best to normalise the traffic flow.”
At the same time, BJP Bhubaneswar district organisational unit launched a protest against the state government over its failure in several issues.
Blasting the BJD for showing off the felicitation of Naveen to garner political mileage, senior BJP leader Jaynarayan Mishra said the Chief Minister 'buys such awards' before elections. People have started realising Naveen's drama, so the welcome ceremony will have no impact.