The district administration on Sunday decided heavy vehicles and buses would not be allowed to ply in the Muzaffarpur town area from 9am to 9pm starting Monday.

Tirhut divisional commissioner Atul Prasad chaired the review meeting, which was attended by several senior administrative and police officers. School buses however have been exempted from the decision. Prasad said the decision was taken to improve traffic flow in the town.

It was also decided that electric poles, which caused hindrance to vehicular movement, would be shifted to the flanks of the roads.

The road construction department has been directed to ensure that projects in the township area are completed soon to minimise hassles for commuters.

Autorickshaw drivers have been directed to not park their vehicles near major crossings.

Muzaffarpur district magistrate (DM) Dharmendra Kumar said fines would be imposed and licences would be cancelled of drivers who violate the orders. At present, around 600 autorickshaws ply on Muzaffarpur roads.

The DM said: "Five teams under the supervision of district transport officer will conduct surprise checks of vehicles and examine requisite papers, including the driving licence, registration documents and insurance papers among others. Encroachments of flanks and roads by traders will also be removed. Vegetable and fruit vendors will be rehabilitated and will be asked not to encroach the roads by putting up kiosks along the pavements."

The municipal corporation has been asked to remove encroachments along the roadside. Builders, who have dumped sand and stones on the roadside, will also be fined. The corporation has been asked to hire two tractors and seize the construction materials that are found on the roadside. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ranjit Kumar Mishra said he has assigned 10 policemen to the district transport officer and the municipal corporation to carry out the necessary drives.

The SSP also urged people to boycott purchasing items from such shopkeepers and vendors. The roads have turned narrow because of the encroachment.