The lane that divides the road near the Patna Junction into two — one moving towards the station and the other along the roundabout. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, March 17: The cops’ idea to ease traffic burden near Patna Junction by providing commuters with a special lane has diverted the problem to a “different path”.

Residents of the area told The Telegraph that the new lane was drawing more commuters at the entrance of the railway station premises, resulting in chaos and confusion. Some commuters differed. The step has checked the heavy rush to some extent, they felt.

The problem of autorickshaws mostly parked in wrong areas remains as is. Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Alok Kumar had taken up the traffic issue seriously. He decided to initiate changes after he was flooded with complaints about the station premises turning into a horrid zone owing to wrongly parked autorickshaws.

The city police took the step after The Telegraph reported last week about the traffic chaos near the station area in addition to the bribery allegations on police by autorickshaw drivers. The SSP said the newly opened lane would be successful in easing traffic near the railway junction area.

“As told earlier, this is an experimental move and we are testing its feasibility. The road moving towards the station has been divided into two lanes, one going to the railway station and the other going pass the roundabout. Boards have been placed to inform commuters about the diversion. It will take some time before commuters get used to it. But we think it will surely help,” the senior officer said.

Traffic constables have been deployed along the entire area to guide commuters about the lanes and to avoid any confusion.

“The division has helped but it will take some more time before people get used to it. The heavy rush has been contained but the vigil needs to go on. We are not letting anyone change the lanes haphazardly,” a constable said.

When The Telegraph went to check the utility of the diversion, the lane towards the railway station was found narrow compared to the other lane moving along the roundabout. As many vehicles move along the area round-the-clock, the narrow diversion could add fuel to the existing traffic problem, especially during the evening.

“It’s certainly a good attempt. But the lane is too narrow and the entrance to the railway station premises is smaller. Every day, thousands of vehicles go in and out of the railway station and the road becomes too crowded in the evening. The lane is crammed for space and passengers might miss trains owing to the breadth of the lane. The lane should be widened,” said Suraj Kumar, a shopkeeper in the area.

Police sources said the rush along the station premises would be checked and the police were trying all possible means. “It is not a one-day affair. We have started with a few steps and are checking things at the moment. If they work out, they will be permanently implemented,” a traffic cop said.