Police on Monday launched a new traffic system on most major roads of the town to rid it of frequent snarls.

More than 150 traffic personnel have been pressed into service to regulate the traffic flow according to new guidelines, which entail one-way traffic restrictions.

Moreover, groups of 10 constables, along with an assistant sub-inspector rank personnel, have been deputed at 20 strategic points of the town to ensure that the new rules are implemented, which would also check incidents of loot, particularly from traders. Senior cops would do the rounds to ensure that the new norms are being implemented.

District magistrate Anupam Kumar said commuters violating the new norms would have to pay fines.

The district administration has identified 16 slots at Hari Sabha Chowk, Zila School, BB Collegiate, Purani Naka, Pakki Sarai Chowk, Aghoriya Chowk, Bhagwanpur, Gobar Shahi, Dwarikanath High School, Chata Bazaar Chowk, Sadar PS Chowk, Zenith Petrol Pump Premise, sites outside MDDM College Chowk, Jubba Sahni Park, Commissioner Officer and Zero Mile to be used as parking lots.

“The transport department has delegated powers to the traffic police following its request to impose penalty on traffic offenders. I appeal to the citizens to obey the rules considering the traffic load on roads,” said the DM.

Commenting on the one-way road rule, the chairperson of North Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Motilal Chaparia, said: “The district administration’s decision comes a bit late, as the demand for effective regulation of traffic has been there for quite some time.”

He, however, hastened to add that it would be very difficult to regulate traffic on the roads without repairing the roads that were damaged as a result of waterlogging.