NAC Staff, Driver Spar Over Parking Fee in Konark, Holiday Crowds Face Travel Woes

Konark: Angry drivers brought the Konark-Puri ring road to a standstill today, protesting perceived high-handedness by NAC staff following an assault on a driver over parking fees in Konark. Vehicular movement came to a halt for hours as the road was blocked.

The altercation arose from frequent arguments between civic body staff and drivers. The situation escalated when a staff member, involved in collecting parking fees, allegedly attacked a driver earlier in the day. The Christmas holiday rush exacerbated the problem, causing traffic snarls and parking issues for numerous tourists and visitors in and around Konark.

The lack of designated parking spaces led the NAC to collect fees, and the police failed to make adequate parking arrangements for the festive season. Agitated drivers claimed that the absence of specific parking areas contributed to the chaos.

Tension peaked when an NAC staff member assaulted a tourist vehicle driver, resulting in a disruption along the road from Chandrabhaga to the Sun Temple in Konark. However, the protest subsided after senior officials from the Konark police station intervened and persuaded the irate drivers to disperse.