Patna, Dec. 24: Police have set the perfect example of going overboard before realising their limitations and then withdrawing.

Barely a week after announcing that all public transport vehicles must move along the left lane of any road, the men-in-uniform backtracked on Thursday, admitting that they didn't have enough resources to implement the same.

Deputy inspector-general of police (central range) Shalin on Thursday said apart from not having enough resources to implement the decision, the awareness level among the people in Patna was less and hence, the police's focus would be to ensure heightened presence on streets in the form of checking drives.

He added: "The order that called for public transport to ply on the left lane of any road was implemented by superintendent of police (SP) (traffic). However, we don't have enough resources to implement this decision. One has to understand that Patna is still not ready for lane driving, as the awareness level is low."

The SP (traffic) had announced the decision to introduce lane driving on roads on December 17 to streamline the traffic system of the state capital, the officer said.

Sources said the lane driving system, which Das introduced three months ago, had proved to be effective in spite of occasional hiccups. The SP had decided to implement the same on Patna roads as well.

The SP had a meeting with office-holders of the city bus ride and auto rickshaw associations before the order was finalized and made official.

However, the lane-driving diktat had proved to be not much of a success from the very first day and public transport vehicles were seen moving in all lanes and stopping anywhere they wanted to pick up and drop passengers.

"The helmet-checking drive of the police is going well. However, we had intended to extend the drive to the City Ride buses and had asked them to ensure that they stopped only in front of designated bus stops to pick up and drop passengers. The buses followed the direction for some days. But we have to constantly monitor and check whether the direction is being followed or not," said the DIG.

When contacted, the SP (traffic) claimed that lane driving along Bailey Road was being followed. "Lane driving along Bailey Road has been effective. However, the police's focus is on checks in other parts of the city. Lane driving on other roads will be implemented later. Right now, our focus is on proper traffic movement in Old Bypass area," said Das.

Commuters reacted to the implementation and withdrawal with amusement.

"How can one officer take a decision and then another officer annul it stating that they don't have resources? After all, Patna police in one unit. I am sure all senior officers know about the department's strength and resources. It seems that the officers are a confused lot and if so, God save the junior officers," said Ashish Kumar, a resident of Patliputra Colony.