Illegal parking of heavy vehicles, stray cattle menace along NHs pose threat to lives in Odisha

Illegal parking of several heavy vehicles on both sides of National Highways has emerged as the main reason behind the terrible road accidents frequently occurring in various parts of Odisha.

Road accidents have mainly become a concern along NH-16 running through Jajpur, Khordha and Ganjam districts due to the reasons. Apart from illegal parking, stray cattle roaming on NHs have also become another headache for dangerous road accidents.

Meanwhile, the drivers parking heavy vehicles on both sides of National Highways are very nonchalant about their acts.

“I have parked the vehicle on NH side for the very first time. I will soon drive the vehicle and not park it on the side of NH again,” said A Murugon, a truck driver.

Stray cattle moving on NH in Khordha has become a major cause of road accidents. 

“Seven to eight cattle straying on NHs are getting killed on a daily basis. Moreover, human lives are also jeopardized due to severe road accidents because of the stray cattle,” said Bharat Chandra Ghadei, driver of a heavy vehicle. 

In response, Khordha SP Abinash Kumar said that IICs of all the police stations will be directed soon to remove illegal parking and stray cattle from the NHs.

“We have intensified patrolling and asked all the IICs to remove unauthorized parking and stray cattle roaming on NHs. We will also conduct awareness programmes to sensitize people and solve the issue,” said Khordha SP Abinash Kumar.

As per the Transport Department, as many as 4,317 road accidents occurred in Odisha in 2022 and at least 2,043 persons lost their lives in the process. Moreover, at least 26,315 persons lost their valuable lives in five years between 2019-2023 in Odisha.