Denizens of Brahmapur are facing severe parking problems due to lack of suitable places and the city police’s failure to control the traffic.
The situation at Mardaraj Vending Zone has worsened after the fish traders shifted here from the Kamapalli Fish Market recently. On Friday, some customers parked their vehicles on the roadside and went to buy fish. But on return, they were astonished to see that their vehicles had been taken away by the police.
There was a faceoff between the bikers and DSP Thakur Prasad Patra as they argued over parking problem for a few minutes. It now seems that displeased denizens would one day take to the streets over the mounting parking problem.
When asked, Brahmapur SP Ashish Singh said the police have already launched a drive to control traffic, and the drive can’t be successful without denizens’ cooperation. Police personnel have been asked to maintain good relationship with public.
It may be noted that there is no parking place anywhere in the city except at the Old Bus-Stand. But the BMC has been collecting parking fees from bikers and car owners at many places, including State Bank Road, SNT Road and the Sai Market Complex.
The authorities are yet to provide parking facility at important places like Kamapalli, Mardaraj Vending Zone, Bijipur Square, Big Bazaar and San Bazaar. What is creating more problems is that heavy vehicles are being parked at no entry zones now.
People demand that a bypass from Jagannathpur to Ankshpur be constructed soon for plying of heavy vehicles.