Setu choked, Patna reels from traffic jams ahead of Chhath

PATNA: Massive traffic jams at several locations in Patna since Tuesday ahead of Chhath led to the authorities holding meetings on Wednesday to find ways to resolve the bottlenecks primarily caused by the closure of a lane on the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, which connects North and South Bihar.
The eastern lane was shut for vehicular movement three days ago, just when people residing in neighbouring states, as well as other parts of the state, started pouring in ahead of Chhatth.
It resulted in snaking queues on the outskirts of Patna and even in the city on Tuesday. Traffic was chaotic between Zero Mile and Gandhi Setu.
Police said traffic remained slow on roads leading to Daniwaya from Fatuha which faced a jam on Tuesday, adding, vehicle movement also remained slow on highways leading to Gaya from Punpun in Patna on Wednesday.
Patna DM Kumar Ravi held meetings with his counterparts in Vaishali and Bhojpur to regulate the movement of heavy and empty commercial vehicles on Gandhi Setu, JP Setu and Koilwar bridge.
“After taking permission from the Indian Railways, an alternate route has been mapped for empty trucks and small vehicles or passenger buses via JP Setu to enter Patna from Vaishali. This alternate movement would start from Wednesday night itself,” Ravi said.
At a high-level meeting on Wednesday, it was decided that sand-laden trucks coming via Koilwar bridge will not be allowed towards Gandhi Setu in Patna.
“Magistrates and police officers posted at six places along with additional force near Deedarganj, Gandhi Setu, Bypass will monitor and regulate traffic movement in three shifts so that no disruption takes place,” Ravi said.
The DM assured that the effect of these steps would be visible on the ground from Thursday evening. “We are continuously monitoring the situation. Teams of district transport office will take action against overloaded vehicles trying to enter Patna through Gandhi Setu,” Ravi said.
The DTO has collected Rs 11,32,500 in fines from 21 overloaded vehicles since November 16, he informed.
The DM said Chhatth devotees would have to reach the ghats on foot to encourage them to celebrate the festival at home.
“That’s why no parking spots have been allowed near the ghat. All vehicles will be stopped far away from the ghats for which drop gates have been erected at 114 spots,” DM added.