Severe traffic chaos on Cuttack-Puri Road caused by new median gap near end of Bomikhal ROB

Bhubaneswar: A newly created median gap near the end of the Bomikhal road overbridge (ROB) towards the Rasulgarh side has triggered severe traffic chaos and safety concerns on the Cuttack-Puri Road (NH-316), putting commuters and pedestrians in a fix.The gap, opened near a shopping mall, has turned the area into a hotspot of confusion, with vehicles moving haphazardly and congestion worsening by the day. Earlier, the site was barricaded to prevent motorists from ascending the bridge towards Saheed Nagar or the Bomikhal side.The situation has deteriorated further after the ROB was converted into a three-way route ahead of Durga Puja to manage festive crowds and traffic. However, the move led to disorder at both ends of the ROB — towards Bomikhal and Rasulgarh. “It is absolutely illogical. The opening was created at a narrow point, doubling the trouble. On weekends and holidays, the crowd heading to the mall will make things worse,” said Ajit Jena, a resident of Bomikhal.The Cuttack-Puri Road has been plagued by issues such as encroachment and erratic vehicle parking. In recent years, city authorities took steps to improve traffic flow, including closing several median openings with concrete slabs. The measures brought some relief, but the current changes have set back much of that progress. “Accidents have become frequent near Ekamra Talkies where the bridge has been opened for a three-way drive,” Jena added.Road safety expert Syed Maqbool Ali expressed concern over the lack of enforcement. “Earlier, anti-encroachment drives yielded positive results. But in the absence of consistent enforcement, things are going back. The medians should be closed to ensure smoother commuting,” he said.City mayor Sulochana Das acknowledged the issue, stating that the diversion plan near Bomikhal was temporary. “We will coordinate with the works department and police to address the median opening near the shopping mall,” she assured.Experts and residents have urged the authorities to revisit earlier plans and prioritise road safety. During the festive season, timely intervention is crucial to prevent further escalation of the issue.