Multilevel parking facility may ease traffic congestion in Cuttack: Experts | Bhubaneswar News
Cuttack: Experts have called for urgent development of multilevel parking facilities in Cuttack to ease the mounting traffic congestion caused by illegal roadside parking and unplanned urban growth. The millennium city is an acute space crunch with narrow roads and limited expansion scope, severely affecting mobility and liveability. Experts said the lack of adequate parking infrastructure is one of the root causes behind haphazard parking, leading to frequent traffic bottlenecks across key areas such as Buxi Bazaar, Naya Sadak, Badambadi and Choudhury Bazaar. “Cuttack was never designed for modern vehicular traffic. With rapid urbanisation and an increasing number of vehicles, multilevel parking is not a luxury but a necessity,” said urban planner Sanjib Guru. “It will not only decongest roads but also streamline urban mobility,” he added. Several roads in the city are encroached upon by illegal parking and unauthorised vendors, worsening the situation. Even emergency services are often delayed due to traffic snarls. “The city’s arteries are choking. A scientific solution like a multilevel parking lot is essential for the old city to breathe again. It’s high time the authorities must act on it,” said road safety expert Bikash Mohapatra. Business owners in the city are also feeling the pinch. “Customers avoid coming to the old market areas due to parking woes. This affects trade,” said Rajiv Agarwal, a trader at Buxi Bazaar. “Even when a few are coming to shops, they are forced to park their vehicles in the front,” added Agarwal. “Illegal parking is a major contributor to daily traffic congestion. Without dedicated parking spaces, our enforcement efforts alone can’t resolve the issue. A multilevel parking facility would provide a structured solution and help us manage traffic more effectively,” said ACP (traffic), Jayanta Dora. Minister for housing and urban development Krushna Chandra Mohapatra said, “We are actively considering proposals for multilevel parking at strategic locations, especially near high traffic zones. Feasibility studies will be done, and accordingly, steps will be taken to streamline the traffic in the city.”
