Odisha Lawmaker Urges Action Against Illegal Parking on Highways
Dharmendra Pradhan calls for measures to tackle illegal parking on Odishas highways, citing rising road accidents and safety concerns.
Bhubaneswar, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : Former Union Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has raised concerns about illegal parking on highways in Odisha. In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Pradhan urged the state to address the issue, particularly in key mining and industrial areas where commercial and heavy vehicles are parked dangerously.
Pradhan noted that road accidents have surged in these regions, as trucks and other vehicles line up for kilometers in unsafe parking situations. He emphasized that the lack of logistical discipline from mining companies and the absence of designated parking areas pose serious risks to road safety.
Referencing a directive from the Supreme Court regarding a public interest petition (case number 9/2025), Pradhan highlighted that safe travel on highways is integral to the right to life as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. He pointed out that the Supreme Court has issued mandatory interim orders banning the parking of heavy and commercial vehicles on national highways and other designated areas.
The Supreme Court has also directed district collectors and superintendents of police to ensure the removal of illegal parking through 24-hour patrols, an automated e-challan system, and district road safety task forces.
Pradhan further mentioned that the Odisha State Highway Authority Act, 2025, provides for strict administrative, financial, and criminal penalties against drivers, transport operators, and industrial companies violating its provisions. Under Section 28, fines for dangerous driving can range from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, with a provision for the auction of seized vehicles if fines remain unpaid for a month.
