Guwahati: Jalukbari traffic personnel under ward 1 of Guwahati Municipal Corporation have been finding it difficult to regulate traffic and is looking for a parking zone for commercial vehicles as a permanent solution to the problem.

Since the construction of Jalukbari flyover, commercial vehicles moving to North Guwahati like Sadilapur, Amingaon; South Guwahati like Lokhra, Khanapara and West Guwahati like Gauhati University, Bidyanagar and the airport gather below the Jalukbari flyover and in front of the Bhupen Hazarika Xamadhixetra, despite the areas being declared no-parking zones by the Guwahati traffic police.

Moreover, for all the vehicles from lower Assam such as Dhubri, Barpeta, Nalbari, Rangia entering the city from morning, Jalukbari has become an easy pick-up and drop-off point.

"Four traffic personnel, including three constables, and an inspector in front of Bhupen Hazarika Xamadhixetra and two personnel are deployed below the flyover. But it has become quite impossible to keep an eye over each of the vehicles moving daily. The indefinite stoppage area of these vehicles add to the traffic congestion which cannot be solved till a definite vehicle stand is commissioned," said Jugal K. Kalita, traffic in-charge of Jalukbari outpost.

Kalita added: "We collected Rs 40,000 as a fine from the vehicles on Tuesday for parking in no-parking zones. Apart from the two existing points at Adabari and Inter-State Bus Terminus where we are forcing the vehicles to move at present, a new stand must be opened in Satmile area or Khanamukh to solve the problem permanently."

"We approached the administration for a tender for a definite vehicle stand earlier. The issue was kept on hold till the completion of the flyover. We also sent a file after comprehensive discussion to the mayor of Guwahati Municipal Corporation about the allocation of government land for setting up a counter or stand," said Sukur Ahmed, councillor of GMC ward 1.

Ahmed added: "The control over the vehicles is sometimes managed by local youths, along with the vehicle owners, to maintain a snarl-free stand in a corner of the Jalukbari road. But this is not going to help in the long run. The Jalukbari area after the construction of the flyover has become a place of chaos where the people are left blind over choosing which way to go."

Mayor Mrigen Sarania said the GMC had held discussions with the higher authorities of the Kamrup (metro) district administration for several times. "They are ready to help us. The parking place at Khanapara has also been built up after similar discussions," he said.

Kalita, however, said: "Till now, we haven't received any such file for verification of the place allocated for a vehicle stand from the administration as the file has to go through us for preparing a verification report on the suitability of the place for parking."