Bhubaneswar experiences heavy traffic congestion during Durga Puja

Bhubaneswar is facing significant traffic congestion as large numbers of devotees visit Durga Puja pandals. The influx of people and increased vehicle movement have caused major delays, particularly during evening hours. Key intersections such as Rasulgarh Square, Nayapalli, Kalpana, and Rajmahal have reported heavy gridlock, with some areas seeing vehicles at a complete standstill for extended periods.

The congestion has raised concerns regarding emergency response times, as ambulances and fire engines have been caught in the traffic. While the Commissionerate Police has deployed 15 platoons of personnel and an additional 73 officers to manage the flow, commuters continue to face difficulties.

Local authorities have launched public awareness campaigns and enforcement drives to prevent accidents, urging motorists to avoid overspeeding and drunk driving. However, residents have noted a lack of real-time traffic updates via mobile apps or FM radio broadcasts, which had been used in previous years to help commuters navigate alternative routes.