Liquor shops add to traffic chaos in Smart City Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Increasing traffic chaos particularly near several liquor shops is now giving nightmares to residents of the smart city Bhubaneswar. The situation has assumed serious proportions in Capital Hospital traffic square, route between Jaydev Vihar and Ekamra Kanan road, Damana area and Patia main road where people can be seen parking their vehicles on road to buy liquor from shops located near main roads.

As the State government is getting revenue, the Excise Department is allowing liquor shops to be established in areas which are in close vicinity of religious places and educational institutions, alleged residents.

“There shouldn’t be any liquor shops near residential areas. Government should take adequate steps to resolve such issues and relocate these shops,” said a Bhubaneswar resident, Aditya Samal.

On the other hand, local residents of Damana alleged that due to the liquor shop in the area, there has been a sharp rise in number of accidents and eve-teasing incidents. They have also accused the State government of turning a blind eye towards such issues.

“By 8 PM, this place turns into a hub of drunkards. Despite apprising the district collector about the issue at repeated intervals, nothing has been done yet to resolve the issue,” a local resident of Damana, Kartikeswar Sahu, said.