Patna, Aug. 3: Members of Rotaract Club of Patna Youth have taken up the initiative to manage traffic problems caused by autorickshaws in the city.

The Rotaract Club of Patna Youth is the youth wing of Rotary Patna. Most of its members are school students.

Vaibhavi Prerna, a Class X student of Baldwin Academy and public relations officer of the youth wing of Rotary Patna, said: “We face a lot of difficulty whenever we are caught in a snarl. Most of the times it is caused by the autorickshaw drivers.”

The plight of residents caused by the traffic congestion triggered the members to come up with such an initiative.

“We are planning to create maps with a few halting areas marked on them. At present, the autorickshaws stop anywhere, creating problems for the people. The instances of disputes and use of abusive languages are also common. We are planning to meet the autorickshaw drivers with the maps and convince them to stop their vehicles at fixed points,” Vaibhavi said.

The members have named the traffic smoothening project — Keep Calm and Don’t Rush.

Priyank Verma, a former president of the club and chairman of the project, said: “We would visit people at their homes to conduct a survey. We would also spread awareness about the project and the residents can also offer suggestions on how to make the initiative a success.”

A sticker with the project’s name mentioned on it would also be pasted at the back of the autorickshaws that will make other drivers and people aware of the initiative and encourage them to co-operate with the members.

Priyank, a Class XII science student of St Karen’s High School, also spoke on the other initiatives of the 38-member club.

A drug abuse campaign started by the team last year would continue.

Vaibhavi said: “All the projects that would start this year would continue next year too.” Rahul Ranjan, president of the club and Class XII science student of St Karen’s Secondary School, said: “The other projects lined up this year are based on sex education. We have also manned a clean up of the ghats and a health check-up camp in government and private schools. We would also start campaigning against tuberculosis in association with Rotary Patna.”

The members of the club have also planned painting competitions, banner making competitions and inter-club cricket tournaments. The club has members till 35 years of age.