Rains after a tough summer and two major festivals falling back to back might spell joy for all, not for Ranchi traffic system though. The increase in number of commuters on Ranchi street before Eid al-Fitr and Rath Yatra has not helped the already weighed down traffic flow in State capital.
A few days back, authorities had conducted an anti-encroachment drive along Mahatma Gandhi Marg, the central artery of the city, to clear the street of hawkers doing business there by encroaching it. They were later allowed to set up shops in taxi stand near Kali Mandir Chowk and open space in front of lower Bazaar police station.
This has not helped with the haphazard crowds blocking the streets. Mahatma Gandhi Marg, the central artery of the city, has seen an increase in number of pedestrians buying from the several street-side shops before Eid. This crowd of shoppers tends to block the street for vehicles causing traffic logjams.
“I myself have been keeping watch along the stretch of MG Marg to move the hawkers back from the streets when they are found encroaching it. Other traffic police officials are also keep patrolling the street. Although this has helped with the hawkers but not has been effective with pedestrians buying from them,” stated Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dilip Xalxo.
He further stated, “People tend to move without order while shopping, even in the wrong direction of traffic flow. Without a designated zone for pedestrians there is no order to their movement which interferes with passage of vehicles. Apart from this, the traffic flow is good in MG Marg.”
With Rath Yatra scheduled on Tuesday, traffic arrangements have been made for streets leading to Jagannath Temple. “Vehicles coming in from Shaheed Maidan will be diverted towards JSCA Stadium to arrive at Ring Road. Drop gates have been installed on roads leading to Jagannath Temple, like Dhurwa roundabout. Adequate traffic policemen have been deployed in the stretch to regulate traffic,” Xalxo informed.