NHAI cracks down on illegal parking on NH-16
Bhubaneswar: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday launched a drive to remove stationary and illegally parked vehicles on the NH-16 stretch between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, to ensure the safety of commuters.
The initiative began near the Tangi section of NH-16 in Cuttack. Illegally parked vehicles, particularly trucks and lorries, often get involved in fatal accidents, prompting authorities to take swift action, sources said.
“We have taken the help of local police to carry out the drive. Illegally parked vehicles were towed and taken to the nearest police station, and the vehicle owners were penalised for their action,” said K Nageswara Rao, NHAI project director, Bhubaneswar.
Rao said the drive will continue. “In addition to enforcement, we are also raising awareness. We urge people not to park their vehicles on the highway as it can lead to fatal accidents,” he said.
The commerce and transport departments has repeatedly urged NHAI to conduct such drives regularly to remove illegally parked and stationary vehicles left unattended on the roads.
TOI has reported about the frequent accidents along the NH-16 stretch between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. In June last year, a passenger bus collided with a stationary truck at Kadei Square in Cuttack, resulting in one death and injuries to more than 20 passengers.
Similar accidents have occurred in the Tangi section, Manguli section, Hanspal, Pahala and Palasuni areas, among others, in recent years.
Road safety experts have warned of the dangers posed by illegally parked and stationary vehicles. “Authorities must conduct such drives regularly. People should also understand the gravity of the problem,” said Syed Maqbool Ali, a former member of the National Road Safety Council.
The initiative began near the Tangi section of NH-16 in Cuttack. Illegally parked vehicles, particularly trucks and lorries, often get involved in fatal accidents, prompting authorities to take swift action, sources said.
“We have taken the help of local police to carry out the drive. Illegally parked vehicles were towed and taken to the nearest police station, and the vehicle owners were penalised for their action,” said K Nageswara Rao, NHAI project director, Bhubaneswar.
Rao said the drive will continue. “In addition to enforcement, we are also raising awareness. We urge people not to park their vehicles on the highway as it can lead to fatal accidents,” he said.
The commerce and transport departments has repeatedly urged NHAI to conduct such drives regularly to remove illegally parked and stationary vehicles left unattended on the roads.
TOI has reported about the frequent accidents along the NH-16 stretch between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. In June last year, a passenger bus collided with a stationary truck at Kadei Square in Cuttack, resulting in one death and injuries to more than 20 passengers.
Similar accidents have occurred in the Tangi section, Manguli section, Hanspal, Pahala and Palasuni areas, among others, in recent years.
Road safety experts have warned of the dangers posed by illegally parked and stationary vehicles. “Authorities must conduct such drives regularly. People should also understand the gravity of the problem,” said Syed Maqbool Ali, a former member of the National Road Safety Council.
