Clockwise movement of vehicular traffic would soon be introduced on the 2.2km stretch around Gandhi Maidan to decongest the heart of the city.

Unlike the existing system where vehicles moving in the opposite direction use different lanes, the new system would allow only one-way movement.

A few days back, the Gandhi Maidan committee responsible for its maintenance, security and beautification decided to divide ground in four parts using barricading.

Patna district magistrate Abhay Kumar Singh told The Telegraph: “Very soon, we are going to make traffic around Gandhi Maidan in clockwise format. It would be a one-way movement. Through this system, no motorist would be allowed to use any other road except the one way road.”

Ever since the Dussehra stampede claimed 33 lives, the Gandhi Maidan committee headed by divisional commissioner has taken several other steps so far as making the ground secure from any trouble. Spread across 62 acres, the Maidan is already going to witness a major makeover, including widening of the gate and construction of watchtowers in the ground.

Sharing details of the benefit of the new system, Singh said: “This system would make traffic smoother and there would be hardly any congestion as well. Though it would take some extra time to cover the distance but the motorists would not face any traffic snarl, which is frequently seen around the ground, especially during the rush hours. It would also be a big relief for the traffic police as well as for the commuters in negotiating traffic.”

Asked about how the system would work, the DM said: “Suppose you are coming from the Golghar side and want to go to hotel Maurya, then you cannot take a right turn from Shaheed Pir Ali Park roundabout. The motorist has to go through Kargil Chowk and via Mona theatre and thereafter proceed towards hotel Maurya. In the beginning, people may find it difficult but later they will become friendly with the idea.”

Earlier, the district administration has converted the Bakerganj road one way, as people are not allowed to enter the lane from the Gandhi Maidan side as they can only use it for exit.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Jitendra Rana briefed how the new system would be put into effect.

“Police personnel would be deputed at every possible place where there are chances of motorists taking turns. We are also considering using barricades to guide the people. As soon as we get an order from the divisional commissioner, we will put the system into effect. This system would be really effective and the surrounding area of Gandhi Maidan would be free from traffic snarls,” said Rana.

Motorists, however, did not seem impressed.

“The move lacks vision. A person going to hotel Maurya from Fraser Road would not be able to use the JP roundabout — just a few steps from the property — to enter the hotel and instead would make a round of the ground, which is around 3km, for reaching the hotel gate. The DM and SSP should look into such things before introducing the new system,” said Parvin Chandra, a Boring Road resident.