RECURRENT TRAUMA: A chock-a-block road in Patna reflects the daily misery of commuters. Telegraph picture

Patna, Feb. 7: Driving in to the state capital or out of it is all about brakes, no accelerator. Reason: Bottlenecks at all the gateways to the city.

The traffic moves at snail’s pace at the three major entry points to the city — Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Zero Mile Road and Saguna Mor — 365 days a year, seven days a week. While the poor condition of the bridge plays the traffic-stopper at Gandhi Setu, sand-laden trucks parked on Zero Mile Road hampers traffic flow.

Drivers themselves are responsible for their sufferings at Saguna Mor. Their attempt to break free after driving under leash in Danapur Cantonment area leads to the traffic chaos.

The worst-affected are the commuters using the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, the city’s connector to north Bihar. “The bridge is in a bad shape. An entire flank is closed as it is considered dangerous. I went to Vaishali, barely 50km from here, a few days back. It took me four hours,” said Asheem Kamal, a businessman of the city.

People are also perturbed with the inaction of police. “How can the cops allow minibuses stand right on the middle of the bridge and pick up passengers?” the businessman asked.

Superintendent of police (traffic) Ajit Kumar Sinha said: “There is a police picket at Gandhi Setu. The cops on duty should ensure minibuses do not stand on the road.”

The Zero Mile Road, which connects south Bihar to the state capital, also remains in a mess more often than not. “Whenever I go there, I find sand-laden trucks occupying half of it. If you protest against the illegal parking of the trucks, you might be beaten up,” said Jeetender, a driver.

The Saguna Mor area also remain clogged. “The Mor is after Danapur Cantonment, where drivers have to abide by the speed limit. Once out, they accelerate and try to overtake. The absence of dividers on the road adds to the problem,” said a resident of Saguna Mor.