Traffic jam in Bhubaneswar: What's clogging KIIT Main Road & who’s to be blamed?

A severe traffic snarl was witnessed on the KIIT main road during the evening hours on Thursday, with vehicles stuck for long durations and commuters left stranded amid heavy congestion. Residents said the situation is no longer an occasional inconvenience but a daily ordeal for those using the busy stretch.

As per sources and commuters, unauthorised parking has emerged as a major concern, repeatedly disrupting traffic flow. Street vendors continue to operate along the roadside without proper parking arrangements, leading to obstruction and bottlenecks. Although food vendors were evacuated a month ago following similar traffic issues, the problem has resurfaced, making daily travel increasingly difficult for commuters.

Questions Over Civic Inaction

The recurring traffic chaos has raised serious questions about the role of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). Commuters are questioning what concrete steps are being taken to address the situation and prevent daily disruptions. Experts and eye-witnesses have pointed out that unauthorised parking and roadside vending remain the primary reasons for frequent jams on the KIIT main road.

Concerns have also been raised over the lack of designated parking facilities in several nearby residential plots. Citizens are questioning how approvals are being granted by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the BMC without adequate parking provisions. These concerns, residents say, reflect a wider public frustration over continued inaction by the concerned authorities.

Call for Immediate Action

Residents have urged police officials to take note of the situation and implement effective traffic management measures to prevent such congestion in the future.

Emergency Risks Highlighted

The situation poses a serious risk during emergencies. Locals fear that if an ambulance or critically ill patient is caught in the gridlock, it could lead to a major crisis.

With traffic congestion on the KIIT main road turning into a daily challenge, residents say the issue can no longer be ignored. Citizens are calling for greater vigilance from the traffic police, BMC, and BDA to jointly address unauthorised parking, regulate roadside vending, and ensure proper planning. 

Timely intervention and strict enforcement, locals believe, are essential not only to ease daily commuting but also to safeguard lives during emergencies. Proactive action by the authorities could go a long way in restoring order, improving road safety, and preventing the situation from escalating further.