Hefty Fine For Illegal Parking On Congested Roads In Odisha Capital

Photograph: Suprakash Mishra

Bhubaneswar: Concerned over heavy vehicular rush on busy thoroughfares in Bhubaneswar due to parking of vehicles in no-parking zones, the Commissionerate Police has decided to crack down on people found violating the guidelines.

“The public is advised not to not park their vehicles on predominantly congested stretches of road and park in the designated parking spaces instead or away from the main carriageway (road),” the Commissionerate Police said in a release on Tuesday.

Talking to the media, Traffic DCP Sagarika Nath said that violation of the instant order is an offence and punishable under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019 and compoundable with a fine of Rs 500.

“We have identified six areas in the city where there is heavy vehicular rush. If we find anyone parking in these areas, we will instantly collect a fine of Rs 500 through a challan under Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019, which authorises the police to tow a vehicle causing an impediment to traffic flow. We have contacted towing agencies. Owners who flout rules will have to pay the towing cost,” she added.

She also said that the law will be strictly enforced in the first phase on the following stretches i.e., Raj Bhawan Chhak to Kalarahanga Chhak, Airport to NALCO Chhak,  Sishu Bhawan Chhak to Vani Vihar Chhak, Rasulgarh Chhak to Jåyadev Vihar Chhak, Shriya Chhak to PHD Office Chhak and Bapuji Nagar area.