Fresh survey likely on 'wrong' median cuts in Bhubaneswar

BHUBANESWAR: The works department along with the National Highways Authority of India is going to conduct a fresh survey of illegal median cuts on the state as well as on national highways besides other roads to stop the wrong-side driving menace in the state.
The move came after the issue of wrong-side driving that led to an increase in the number of accidents was discussed at a departmental coordination meeting held recently.The works department in particular has been asked by the transport department to look into the matter and rectify the wrong medians and intersections.
"We did conducted a survey a few months back to find out the problematic junctions as well as illegal median cuts. We closed the cuts, but some people opened them again. We have decided to conduct a fresh survey and also take the help of police if needed," said works department chief engineer (roads) O P Patel. He said right now the wrong-side driving due to illegal median cuts are mostly there on the national highways. "The highway authorities are looking into the issues. We in the meantime are taking care of the state highways as well as other major roads in urban areas," Patel said.
At present, the wrong side driving is seen in different areas of the state capital, including on the road between Jaydev Vihar and Nandankanan, Lewis Road, Jagamara Road, the road between Fire Station and Siripur Square, Madhusudan Marg, Janpath as well as Bidyut Marg, among others.
However, the problem is worse especially on the Cuttack-Puri state highway due to densely populated residential areas and commercial set-ups. The opening up of the Bomikhal flyover recently further increased the wrong side driving menace on the road, leading to a threat of road accidents, said an officer.
Violators have a different take. "If I take the proper road, it would almost take a km more for me to reach my shop. The authorities should provide proper median cuts at intervals on the road only then the wrong-side driving practice would stop," argued a driver at Laxmisagar.