Sambalpur: Heavy Business but No Parking; Fines Imposed and Notices Issued to 10 Big Shops by SMC

Lack of Parking Creates Traffic Problems in Sambalpur

Sambalpur: Despite earning crores of rupees from malls and market complexes, most businesses in Sambalpur, from Fatak to Ainthapali, do not have adequate parking facilities. As a result, vehicles spill onto the roads, causing severe traffic congestion. During the holiday season, this problem worsens as market complexes contribute significantly to traffic jams.

Penalties Imposed on Two Market Complexes

Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) fined two market complexes ₹4,000 each and issued notices to ten others, according to Enforcement Officer Sushant Sahu. He stated that, despite previous warnings, these businesses failed to provide adequate parking spaces, resulting in ongoing traffic problems.

Reliance Mart Temporarily Shut Down Earlier

SMC had previously shut down the Reliance Smart Bazaar in Fatak due to the same issue. On July 31, the mall was allowed to reopen on the condition that it provided basement parking and followed other guidelines. However, even after two months, the mall has not provided adequate parking facilities. SMC inspections revealed that the traffic chaos at Fatak persists. If these issues persist, the stores may be forced to close permanently.

Limited Parking vs. Large Customer Base

While some market complexes have small parking areas, they are insufficient for the number of customers. This is a common occurrence in Sambalpur’s shopping centers. In Ainthapali, Anand Hypermarket and Style Bazaar were fined ₹5,000 each for causing traffic obstructions.

Notices Issued to Shops Along Ainthapali-Fatak Road

Several other businesses, including Metro Shoes, Gokul, and Pantaloons on the left side of the Ainthapali-Fatak road, have also been warned to provide adequate parking. SMC’s enforcement team visits each shop, warning them that noncompliance will result in fines or permanent closures.

Future Action by SMC

According to SMC, no malls or market complexes should be permitted to operate without adequate parking facilities. The question is how these shops were allowed to open despite the lack of parking. Moving forward, SMC will expand its traffic-control efforts to other areas of Sambalpur to ensure smoother traffic flow.