Trucks continue to clog roads in western Patna

PATNA: Factors like poor condition of roads, improper signage and insufficient time allotted to trucks to pass through the J P Setu have resulted in frequent traffic congestion at different locations in the city. The situation is deplorable in areas such as New Bypass Road, Digha-Danapur Canal Road, Phulwarisharif and Naubatpur.
Traffic superintendent (SP) D Amarkesh told this newspaper on Monday that trucks were allowed to pass through the J P Setu only from 10pm to 5am.
“During this seven-hour period, a lot of time is consumed in checking the trucks. Many a time, some of them also break down on the bridge and require at least an hour to be towed away. However, there is no towing vehicle available for trucks coming from Saran-end,” Amarkesh said.
He added, “Due to the lack of time, trucks coming from Rani Talab in Patna take almost three days to reach the J P Setu. At times, the drivers take five to six days to pass through the stretch and reach the bridge. As a result, they try to overtake, making it difficult for the vehicles coming from the opposite direction to move on the road.”
Trucks from Naubatpur, on the other hand, are only allowed to move on the J P Setu from 10pm to 2pm. “Apprehending a traffic snarl, most truck drivers try to overtake other vehicles. Besides, passing through the turning point at Govindpur that goes towards Saran as well as Sonepur is very time-taking,” Amarkesh said.
Attributing huge potholes as one of the major reasons for traffic congestion, he said, “Trucks get trapped due to the big potholes on Beur Mor and lead to traffic snarls near New Bypass Road and Anisabad. Similar is the condition of Shahid Chowk where construction companies have damaged the roads, making huge potholes.”
Meanwhile, queues of trucks parked on the Digha-Danapur Canal Road, Naubatpur and Phulwarisharif have added to the woes of residents and commuters. Vehicular movement on the stretch gets affected due to long queues of trucks parked on the road.
“Traffic jams have become so problematic that it is difficult for me to reach office and return home on time. Trucks remain parked on the Danapur-Digha Canal Road throughout the day,” said Sanjay Prasad, a resident of Mustafapur.
Chanakya Puri resident Aryan Raj rued, “I got stuck on the Danapur-Digha Canal Road for more than an hour on Monday morning because of a long queue of trucks parked there. Besides, the trucks coming from the J P Setu-side made it difficult for me to pass through the stretch.”
Patna district magistrate Kumar Ravi had issued a directive last week to prevent parking of trucks on the Digha-Danapur Canal Road.