File picture of commuters caught in traffic congestion on Ranihat Canal Road in Cuttack

Cuttack, June 18: Police are exploring the possibility to introduce a one-way traffic system in major thoroughfares to ease traffic congestion.

Sources said the cops were planning to introduce the one-way traffic system at Choudhry Bazar, Buxi Bazar and the entire stretch from College Square to Mangalabag via Ranihat.

“We are proposing to introduce the one-way traffic system at various points — which will be implemented after the matter is put for consideration at the traffic management committee meeting scheduled to be held shortly,” said deputy commissioner of police Sanjeev Arora.

Arora said the views of various stakeholders, including local residents, would be taken into consideration while efforts would be made to introduce the one-way system before Dussehra.

“There is an urgent need to introduce one-way traffic, which should be done after reviewing the existing infrastructure and proper finalisation of diversion routes. Besides, the one-way system should be implemented for a short period of two to three hours during the evening hours,” said Jobra resident Ansuman Ghose.

Though the police had introduced the one-way system at Howrah motors and no four-wheelers and autorickshaw are being allowed to move straight towards Mangalabag, it has failed to put a check on the congestion at Nuapatna Road connecting College Square.

A traffic official said the proposal to introduce the one-way system in prominent areas would be crucial in regulating vehicular traffic besides checking acute congestion during peak hours in the city.

At present, the commuters are facing a lot of difficulties in moving from one end of the city to the other due to congestion and lack of flyovers.

The 2.5-km stretch from College Square up to Ranihat Chhak via Canal Road, which is one of the busiest links, remains choked with vehicular traffic round the clock.

“One can hardly drive freely from Ranihat Canal Road to Mangalabag via Ranihat due to the congestion, while no traffic constable has been deployed to regulate vehicular traffic so far,” said Ranihat resident Dilip Sahu.

“The vehicular traffic coming from the College Square side, especially the autorickshaws and four-wheelers, should be diverted towards Professorpara or Ranihat Medical Road instead of allowing them to move straight towards Ranihat — which can resolve the congestion problem,” said Sanjay Mohanty, a commuter.