Patna: The new traffic superintendent of police (SP), P.N. Mishra, plans to streamline the chaotic traffic by tweaking weekly closure of schools and by creating parking lots on either flank of roads.
"I will hold a meeting with the school authorities, especially the big schools and request them to operate for six days and keep the school closed on different days of the week. If this is implemented, it will bring a big change in traffic," Mishra stressed.
Sanjeev Kumar, a resident of Ashiana Nagar whose two children study in Don Bosco Academy, said: "It is a completely nonsensical idea. If the new SP is really bothered about streamlining traffic, he should first stop movement of VIPs' cars and then remove encroachments."
Anandpuri resident Gaurav Kumar, whose child studies in the primary section of St Michael's High School, said: "How can anyone run classes on Sunday, which is a universal holiday for schools. I think the idea is not practical as most employees get their weekly off on Sunday when we spend quality time with our kids."
The new traffic SP's other plan is of following the Calcutta model of parking vehicles. "I have a plan to allow parking of vehicles on one flank of the road, which carries less traffic at a certain time of the day. Such practice is followed in Calcutta. The timing of the parking will be declared, say for example one can park his vehicle on a certain flank from 10am to 2pm and on the other flank from 2pm," Mishra told The Telegraph, speaking at Dakbungalow roundabout.
Mishra added that parking will be shifted to the other flank even before 2pm if the traffic pressure is less. "Before implementing this plan, I will discuss the issue with seniors because I do not want residents to come across the new plan suddenly. Let's see. First, I will observe the traffic system of Patna for the next one month," Mishra said.
A Bihar police service officer promoted to IPS in 2005, Mishra had earlier served as Sheohar SP and Patna railway superintendent of police. He had also served in different capacities in the vigilance, CID and special branch.
He also admitted that controlling the Patna traffic was a challenge but promised to do his best to regulate it. He further stressed that citizens have to cooperate as police alone cannot handle the traffic. "I do not want to claim that I will completely change the traffic system in Patna and will bring something new but I will try my level best to fix things so that traffic could be regulated well in Patna."
Asked about any particular plan for autos and city buses, which create a nuisance by stopping in the middle of the road, . They are the one who are always held responsible for creating traffic chaos in state capital.
Mishra said: "I am mulling about creating stops at every 500m, where city buses and autos can take passengers. Even residents have to support this initiative and they have to at least walk to catch the auto and city buses from the dedicated stop."
He added that he will create separate parking zones for autos and city buses to streamline traffic.
