TRAFFIC CHAOS MAY MAR THIS YEAR’S DURGA PUJA

As Bhubaneswar transforms into a vibrant spectacle of colourful lights, arches, and tableaux for Durga Puja 2025, the City is grappling with familiar challenges of choked roads and chaotic parking.

- Orissa POST correspondent Arindam Ganguly

With over 172 puja pandals expected to attract record-breaking crowds particularly at hotspots like Rasulgarh, Nayapalli, Saheed Nagar, Baramunda, Bomikhal, and Jharpada, the festive spirit is being overshadowed by severe traffic congestion and strained public infrastructure.

brings a 360-degree view of the status of public infrastructure, and preparations by the City and police administrations for the upcoming festival

As the festive fervour builds up, the Temple City once again finds itself at the crossroads of celebration and congestion. Despite planning, holding meetings, issuing traffic advisories, and ensuring multi-agency coordination, denizens remain sceptical about a hassle-free Durga Puja this year. For many, the experience of navigating pandal zones during peak puja evenings is as daunting as it is dazzling.

For many locals, travelling on City roads during puja evenings feels more like navigating a maze than enjoying a celebration. “The rush is so severe that it took me nearly an hour to reach Satsang Vihar from Saheed Nagar in my car. Every year, we face the same choked roads during Durga Puja as we get struck for long hours in the traffic.” says Ramesh Jena, a resident.

“There is no space to park the vehicles. Two-wheelers can be parked in smaller spaces but it is difficult to park a car,” says Vikrant Swain, a visitor complaining about lack of parking space near pandals.

Urban planners highlight how strained public infrastructure and lack of proper planning contribute to festive rush and traffic chaos.