VARANASI: A drive against illegal vehicles on city roads and illegal parking began on Thursday. The step was taken after union minister of state for electronics and information technology, culture and tourism
KJ Alphons was trapped in traffic jam during his two-day visit to the city on June 4 and 5.
Setting a deadline of two days, divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal asked the SSP to streamline the traffic system on all routes. The commissioner called a meeting of officials on Wednesday to chalk out a plan for traffic improvement. Holding illegal operation of unauthorized auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws as key component of traffic jam, he asked the RTO to begin a drive to seize such vehicles.
He said that about 10,000 auto-rickshaws against the valid permit for 5,500 only after operating in the city. Besides, the e-rickshaws without any registration are also operating in large numbers. It would be mandatory for the operators to stick the permit on their vehicles. To get rid of the jam on the road leading to
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the stretch from Chowk to Godowlia would be made no-parking zone. Even the vehicles of administrative officials would not be allowed for parking near the Chhatadwar of
Kashi Vishwanath temple.
The commissioner asked the officials to ensure removal of all illegal encroachments along the roads in 2-3 days.
Many areas faced severe traffic jams