Traffic congestion near Cuttack SCB hospital puts patients at risk

Cuttack: The crowded streets near SCB Medical College and Hospital are turning out to be a major obstacle for smooth flow of traffic especially ambulances, thanks to encroachers, street vendors and illegal parking. While the situation is getting worse by the day, locals have alleged that administration and Traffic Police are taking no steps to resolve the issue.

“In front of the Cardiology department there is no passage for a patient to be taken in or out. Auto rickshaw drivers and street vendors have left no space,” local resident, Pradeep Kumar Sahu said.

Similarly, the entrances through Ranihat and Mangalabag sides are also partially blocked by encroachers. While hotels, beetle shops have been set up on parking slots, illegal parking by auto rickshaw drivers is also leading to traffic congestion.

“Office goers, students and relatives of patients are facing a lot of problem because of this. If action is not taken at the earliest, lives of emergency patients will be under risk,” President of undergraduate students union of SCB, Deepak Kumar Samal said.

However, some street vendors have claimed that they don’t stay on the roads for a long time.

“We stay on the road for a maximum of 2 hours. We are forced to do so as it is our only way to earn a living,” a street vendor said.

Traffic ACP of Cuttack, Pradeep Kumar Dalai, said “The security personnel deployed at the spot should drive the encroachers away.”