Cuttack: Major arterial roads from Dolamundai to Bajrakabati in Cuttack are being increasingly choked by encroachments, with rows of makeshift shops and extended structures narrowing carriageways and causing severe traffic congestion. Despite repeated complaints from commuters and local residents, authorities appear to have taken little visible action.Daily commuters allege that footpaths have virtually disappeared in several stretches, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road and increasing the risk of accidents. The situation worsens during peak hours when vehicles struggle to navigate through the bottlenecks created by unauthorized roadside vendors.“Every day it takes twice the usual time to cross this stretch. The administration knows about the encroachments, yet nothing changes,” said Sanjit Giri, a resident of Bajrakabati area. “Most of the time the road gets chocked and we are stuck hours on the road in this scorching heat,” added Giri.Satish Agarwal, a shopkeeper operating legally in the area, also raised concerns about unfair competition. “We pay taxes and follow rules, but illegal shops are allowed to function freely, affecting our business and crowding the roads.” he said.“It’s not just about traffic. Emergency vehicles can’t pass smoothly. This is a serious public safety issue. As this road leads to SCB Medical College and Hospital, several patients have a harrowing experience on this stretch,” said Poonam Das, a resident of Dolamundai. The civic body should initiate an immediate eviction drive and restore normalcy, added Das.A commuter , Rupak Singh said “During peak hours, this stretch becomes a nightmare. With more than 200 makeshift shops occupying the roadside, vehicles barely move and even a short distance takes 30 to 40 minutes to cover. If this continues, commuting in Cuttack will only get worse.”Mayor (Cuttack) Subhash Chandra Singh said “We are aware of the encroachments along key roads. We will soon conduct a drive to clear illegal structures and