Bhubaneswar, Mar 19: The Khandagiri-Udayagiri road, a popular route for tourists visiting the region, is witnessing severe traffic congestion due to illegal parking of passenger buses, causing inconvenience to motorists and visitors as well.

Tourist buses have reportedly been occupying half of the road from early morning to late night, blocking the passage for cars, bikes, and trucks. Local residents and tourists have repeatedly raised complaints, but the situation remains unchanged. The narrow and poorly lit roads have also increased the risk of accidents.

The affected stretch includes the road connecting Khandagiri-Mundia and Jaydev Vatika square, which has become a hotspot for bus parking due to the ongoing closure of the Khandagiri-Udayagiri highway for vehicular traffic since 2022. Buses from outside the state park on this road, leading to long delays. Commuters report that even short journeys along this stretch can take up to half an hour, and traffic jams often extend to the return route for tourist buses.

Authorities also noted that service roads leading to the Khandagiri Flyover and Baramunda Bus Stand are similarly affected, as illegally parked buses block the lanes. During school hours, traffic congestion worsens due to vehicles from nearby Tapoban Government High School and a private school using the same road.

Traffic police teams have been issuing fines on NH-16 during peak hours, but illegal parking continues unabated, hampering traffic management. While a large bus parking facility has been constructed at Barmunda Bus Stand, many drivers still prefer to park on the roadside, creating unsafe conditions and prolonged jams.

Authorities have urged bus operators to use designated parking areas and requested tourists to avoid stopping on the roadside to prevent further congestion and accidents.