Patna traffic police have earmarked halts for public transport vehicles in two busy areas of the city.

The move, which the police have been talking about for quite sometime, has been started near Hartali Mor and high court as a pet project.

An officer with the traffic police said two signboards have been put up in the two areas with directions on where the public transport vehicles should halt. The signboards meant for drivers have been installed 40m ahead of Hartali Mor for vehicles approaching the roundabout. The board has been put up on the left.

“We have started this to take care of the traffic menace. Public transport, mostly autorickshaws, halt anywhere they feel like to pick and drop passengers. Most of the time they slam brakes right in the middle of the road, which leads to accidents. The Patna Municipal Corporation and the traffic police had been planning designated autorickshaw stops. But the plan will take time to materialise. Until then, we feel that the initiative we have taken will bring some relief. If it is effective, the drive would be extended to all the roundabouts of Patna,” the officer said.

A signboard has also been put up for the high court turn near the petrol pump.

“Vehicles from Hartali Mor going towards the high court crossing will be able to see the board. Any autorickshaw or city ride mini bus, which wants to drop passengers at Hartali Mor or at the high court crossing or even at the high court area, needs to stop at least 30m ahead of the crossings. They have to halt at the designated spot,” the officer added.

At any given day, five autorickshaws or one mini bus can stop in the area to pick and drop passengers. According to the police orders, vehicles cannot halt at the designated spots for more than three minutes.

Commuters felt that the idea was good but it needed monitoring. “Monitoring is important when it comes to tame public transport. The police must ensure that autorickshaws don’t stop anywhere despite signboards,” said Arvind Kumar, a daily commuter.