Public Safety Cannot Wait: Act Firmly on Illegal Parking and Urban Mismanagement

By Sudhansu Singh

Rayagada/Odisha, Dec 20 : Despite clear No Parking signboards along the National Highway passing through the district  headquarter and key stretches within Rayagada town, illegal parking continues unabated. The result is a daily traffic nightmare and an escalating public safety threat. Citizens squarely blame the Municipal authorities and also question the role of the district administration, pointing out that the core problem is not lack of space but lack of foresight, weak urban planning and administrative neglect.

Residents allege that during town planning or urban development discussions, local stakeholders are rarely consulted. Consequently, both residents and commuters arriving from distant places struggle severely to find authorised parking space.

With no systematic parking arrangements near major commercial hubs, many vehicles are parked haphazardly along the National Highway, which remains a serious safety hazard. Frequent collisions involving bikes, cars and trucks are testimony to this continuing failure.

Even though the National Highways Authority has installed No Parking boards on both sides of the highway and enforcement orders exist on paper, monitoring remains negligible. Many vehicle owners openly disregard restrictions and block the highway in front of malls, shops and busy market stretches from Tumbiguda Square to Gajapati Square, including areas near prominent shopping centres. Citizens allege that the administration remains a silent spectator despite repeated public concerns.

Adding to public frustration, local discussions strongly reflect growing resentment against the National Highway authorities as well. People allege that only assurances are repeatedly given to the district administration, but concrete action is missing. It is widely being discussed that in the span of these prolonged assurances, at least four District Collectors have been transferred, yet the commitments of the NH department remain unfulfilled—reducing public trust and confidence in the system.

The tragic accident near Reliance Mart, where a youth lost his life and two others were injured following a truck-bike collision, should have been a turning point. The incident triggered public outrage, road measurements were conducted, and assurances were given about clearing encroachments and widening movement space. Yet, the ground reality remains unchanged.

Repeated directions issued in joint enforcement meetings to act against illegal parking and encroachments are yet to be meaningfully implemented. Median construction from Siriguda towards Reliance Martannounced earlier to regulate traffic also remains incomplete. Meanwhile, wrong-side driving at key traffic points, encroached footpaths, roadside hawking and lack of designated parking areas continue to choke the town.

Citizens rightly question why only bike and car owners are penalised while large commercial establishments without mandatory parking provisions go unchecked. They also raise concerns about approved building plans allegedly being altered during construction without corrective municipal intervention. Selective enforcement erodes public trust and further encourages violations.

Authorities must understand that enforcement for a few days after accidents is not a solution. Sustainable corrective measures are needed. National Highway boundaries must be clearly demarcated, illegal encroachments removed without discrimination, mandatory parking provisions strictly enforced on commercial establishments, and continuous surveillance ensured. Above all, citizen participation in planning must be encouraged, because urban governance is ultimately meant to serve the public.

Rayagada’s growing traffic and safety concerns demand immediate, fair and accountable action. Public safety cannot remain hostage to administrative delay, planning indifference or selective enforcement. It is time for the district administration, municipality and highway authorities to act decisively, consistently and transparently in the larger interest of the people.