Traffic congestion in Patna
By Neeraj KumarÂ
Patna: In view of the steadily worsening traffic congestion and rising vehicular pressure in the city, the Patna Traffic Police have decided to conduct a fresh survey of city roads. The objective of the exercise is to identify roads and localities where traffic density remains the highest.
Over the past one to two years, the number of private vehicles, auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws has increased sharply, while road widths have largely remained unchanged. As a result, existing traffic management measures are proving inadequate.
The Traffic Police are preparing separate lists of roads experiencing the heaviest vehicular load. In particular, major roads witness severe congestion for nearly six hours a day — from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and again from 4 pm to 7 pm. These peak hours coincide with office commuting times, placing immense strain on traffic arrangements.
Based on the survey findings, there are plans to close several unnecessary road cuts. At many locations, cuts may be temporarily shut during peak hours to ensure smoother traffic flow. Preparations are also underway to install new traffic signals at several key intersections across the city to regulate movement through a signal-based system.
According to the Traffic Police, haphazard roadside parking has emerged as a major cause of congestion. In many areas, autos and e-rickshaws parked on roads further slow down traffic. Following the recent ban on parking autos and e-rickshaws at major junctions, stricter monitoring of these locations is now being planned.
Officials from the district administration and the transport department will also be involved in the survey along with the Traffic Police. The Traffic SP said concrete measures would be implemented once the survey report is received, with the aim of providing daily relief to commuters from traffic snarls. The utility of red lines and U-turns at several locations will also be reviewed afresh.
For residents weary of daily traffic jams, the move offers a glimmer of hope, as preparations begin once again for a large-scale survey to streamline Patna’s traffic system.
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