New Bodh Gaya traffic plan from November 1

GAYA: The modified traffic plan for Bodh Gaya giving relaxation to certain kind of vehicles from the ban on entry of motor vehicles in the shrine vicinity would come into effect on 1 November'2018. The announcement for modification of the traffic plan was made by CM Nitish Kumar during his 13 October visit in connection with the launching of the construction activity for the establishment of the Rs 145 crore project for cultural centre cum state of the art convention facility.
Confirming the decision to introduce the modified traffic plan, SSP Rajiv Mishra said that certain changes have been made in the ban on the entry of vehicles beyond node 1, about 1 km to the west of the seat of enlightenment. The vehicle ban imposed in Feb'2018 came in for severe criticism from the locals who observed an unprecedented three days long general strike in the last week of February to register protest against the traffic plan.

As per the Feb'18 traffic plan entry of all vehicles was banned beyond node1 for environmental and security reasons. Visitors disembarking at node 1 were supposed either to walk the 1 km distance between the main shrine and node 1 or to engage e rickshaws. A limited number of e rickshaws were given permission to ferry passengers between Node 1 and the shrine entry point.

According to the SSP, some select category of vehicles including contract carriages (tourist buses) and private cars would be permitted to ply up to the Royal Thai monastery, about 350 meters from the main Buddha shrine. The relaxation would be limited to the dropping or pick up of visitors and parking would not be allowed at any point beyond node 1. The ban will remain in force for stage carriages (motor vehicles having a capacity of more than six passengers excluding the driver).

After dropping the riders, the cars and contract carriages will have to come back to node 1 for parking purposes. Hotels having parking facility within their premises would be allowed to park contract carriages. In no case road side parking of vehicles would be allowed in the restricted zone. Diesel/petrol propelled auto rickshaws would be allowed to proceed beyond node 1, said Rajiv Mishra. Steps would also be taken to discourage honking in the restricted zone. The modified arrangement falls well short of the expectation of the locals, earlier said Suresh Singh, chairman of the Nagrik Vikas Manch, the local citizen body. Singh wanted all vehicles allowed till Seashen monastery further down the Royal Thai monastery.