Bhubaneswar, Aug 6: Every evening and the office and school hour in the morning, the same story unfolds at Jaydev Batika Chhak. Vehicles crawl bumper-to-bumper, impatient commuters honk endlessly, schoolchildren wait to cross busy roads, and office-goers watch precious minutes disappear in traffic. For thousands who pass through the junction every day, what should be a short commute has become a frustrating daily ordeal.

Once a key connecting point in the city, Jaydev Batika Chhak is now emerging as one of Bhubaneswar's most congested traffic hotspots, with the situation worsening during morning school hours and the evening office rush.

Surrounded by educational institutions, residential apartments, commercial establishments and office complexes, the junction witnesses a constant flow of vehicles throughout the day. However, as peak-hour traffic builds up, long queues stretch in every direction, leaving motorists stranded for extended periods.

Residents blame the growing congestion on inadequate traffic management, roadside encroachments and unregulated parking. Vendors selling vegetables, flowers and other goods occupy portions of the roadside, narrowing the carriageway and leaving little space for smooth movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

The congestion has also raised serious safety concerns. Parents say children returning from nearby schools often struggle to cross the busy intersection, while pedestrians are forced to walk on the road due to the absence of clear and continuous footpaths. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, also face delays during peak hours.

Local residents have urged the authorities to deploy dedicated traffic personnel during busy hours, regulate roadside vending, remove illegal parking and improve traffic management at the junction before the situation worsens further.

Until corrective measures are implemented, commuters fear that the daily gridlock at Jaydev Batika Chhak will continue to disrupt travel and pose risks to public safety.

Ajit Parida- A commuter said, "Every evening, it takes nearly 15-18 minutes just to cross Jaydev Batika Chhak. With schools, offices and apartments nearby, traffic remains heavy. We request the administration to deploy traffic police during peak hours."

"The biggest problem is roadside encroachment and vehicles parked haphazardly. They reduce the available road space. Proper traffic regulation can make a huge difference," says Kalpana Basantia

"Children find it difficult to cross the road after school as Tapoban High School id nearby. There should be better traffic management, zebra crossings and stricter enforcement during school and office hours."