Trucks stuck in a traffic snarl in Muzaffarpur on Sunday. Picture by Sachin

Muzaffarpur, May 29: The state government has empowered two teams of the district police to impose instant fines on people flouting traffic norms from July.

The senior superintendent of police (SSP), Muzaffarpur, Rajesh Kumar, had forwarded a proposal to the state government through police headquarters for granting permission to recover fines from people who violate traffic norms by parking vehicles illegally. Rajesh added two teams comprising three personnel each were formed as the area to be manned was huge and a single team would not have served the purpose.

The district police have decided to curb traffic menace, particularly frequent snarls. Residents were fed up with constant traffic congestions at Motijheel, Kalyani, Saraiyaganj, Club Road, Station Road, Jawaharlal Road, Tilak Maidan Road and others.

Illegal parking of motorbikes, four-wheelers and subsequent encroachment of pavement and roads by the shopkeepers have also created traffic problems. The deputy inspector-general (DIG) of police, Tirhut, Bachchu Singh Meena, said two teams of the district police have been constituted. The police have formed a motorcycle squad to keep national highways free of traffic congestion. The flying squad would start operation in a day or two. They would spot people creating traffic problems and fine them on the spot. The DIG said the police have spotted new traffic spots and traffic constables on those spots would be deployed.

There is regular traffic congestion on NH-28 near Ramdayalu and Chandni Chowk. Police have been deployed from the adjoining police stations to keep the highway clear. Traders associated with North Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NBCCI) have been requested to clear the pavements.

According to sources, the officers of the police station concerned accompanied with employees of Muzaffarpur Municipal Corporation would launch a campaign in their respective jurisdictions to create awareness among businessmen and shopkeepers to remove illegal encroachments.

District magistrate Santosh Kumar Mall said the traffic system would be strengthened. A meeting with the traders of NBCCI would be shortly planned for smooth traffic flow. However, there are some construction of roads and a flyover at the Motijheel railway crossing.

The flyover is nearing completion and the traffic plan would be implemented only after that. The DIG said if the encroachers refused to move, police would collect evi- dence by capturing it on video and they would be sternly dealt with.