Bhubaneswar, Nov 24: To ease traffic congestion across the Odisha capital, the Commissionerate Police has announced immediate parking restrictions on several major roads in the city. The order, issued by Police Commissioner Suresh Debdutt Singh, prohibits roadside parking in high-traffic zones.

Implemented under the Odisha Urban Police (OUP) Act, 2003, the restrictions aim to improve traffic flow, reduce road obstructions, and enhance commuter safety. Authorities noted that unregulated parking has been a major contributor to congestion and has increasingly posed risks to public safety.

The police have urged residents to cooperate and follow the new guidelines to ensure smoother movement across the city.

The Commissionerate Police stated that widespread, indiscriminate parking on key routes is disrupting traffic, inconveniencing commuters, and creating potential safety hazards. To address this, and exercising powers under Sections 28 and 29 of the OUP Act, 2003, read with Regulations 19 and 21 of the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack Police Commissionerate (Traffic & Public Order) Regulation, 2008, and Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, parking is now restricted on the following stretches:

Roads where parking is prohibited

1. Raj Bhawan Square to Kalarahanga Chhak via Jaydev Vihar
2. Airport to NALCO Chhak via Acharya Vihar
3. Sishubhawan Chhak to Vani Vihar via Rajmahal Square and Master Canteen Square
4. Rasulgarh Chhak to Jaydev Vihar
5. Sriya Chhak to PHD Office
6. Bapuji Nagar
7. IDBI Bank Square to Veterinary College, NH-16 via Empire Hotel
8. Alok Bharati Building to Saheed Nagar Durga Puja Mandap at Janpath
9. Janpath (Kalyan Jewellers) to Charak Medical Store via Sparsh Hospital
10. Trupti Service Station on Janpath to Saheed Nagar Entry Point

Roads with strict no-parking rules

1. Gopabandhu Square to Kalpana Square (both sides)
2. Kalarahanga Chhak to Nandankanan Square (both sides)
3. Service road on both sides from Jaydev Vihar to Tamando Square
4. Jaydev Vihar to CRP Square via Ekamra Kanan Park Road
5. CRP Square to Power House Square via Unit-VIII, DAV School (both sides)
6. Fire Station to Jagamara Square via City Women’s College Square (both sides)
7. Khandagiri Square to Pokhariput Square (both sides)
8. Nayapalli U/P to Jaydev Vihar via ID Market (both sides)
9. KIIT Square to Infocity Square via Silicon Engineering College (both sides)
10. Damana Square to Sailashree Vihar (both sides)
11. Xavier Square to Sai Temple via Utkal Hospital (both sides)

Violating the order will constitute an offence under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, attracting a compoundable fine. Offenders may also be charged under Section 223(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Additionally, under Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, police officers are authorized to tow vehicles obstructing traffic. Vehicle owners will be liable for towing charges along with any other penalties imposed.