Mixed reactions as trial run for new traffic plan begins

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Patna: A trial run of the new traffic plan was implemented on Sunday at Station Road for various public transports, including autos, e-rickshaws, cabs, and buses, following the inauguration of the pedestrian subway and multi-modal hub.This caused some inconvenience to drivers and passengers.Many passengers carrying luggage were unaware of where to go to find commercial vehicles. Some were waiting at the Station Road roundabout, while others were confused about where to get autos and e-rickshaws from the multi-modal hub after booking their vehicles. The trial run would continue for a week. There were many passengers who praised the new facilities and hoped that the govt would ensure maintenance of the subway and multi-modal hub.Patna Traffic SP Aprajit Lohan told TOI that there was significant improvement due to the augmented facilities. “The traffic jam at Station Road and the roundabout was less, as the traffic pressure was dispersed to different places. As a result, pressure increased between pillars 13 and 14 towards Goria Toli, Patna GPO, from where the vehicles are exiting from the multi-modal hub, and Budh Marg near the Iskcon temple,” he said.

“To ensure that there is no traffic congestion on other routes, extra cops will be deployed at traffic pressure points from Monday. An additional 15 officers and 40 constables will be deployed to manage the traffic pressure. Secondly, we noticed that there was confusion about whether private buses were allowed inside the multi-modal hub, but now it’s clear that both govt and private buses will operate from inside, which will clear the pressure on Budh Marg,” the SP said.Lohan further said that the main issue now was that passengers aren’t aware of where to find autos. “People either wait on the ground floor or take the buses. We informed all union members to use megaphones and volunteers to announce that autos are waiting on the first floor. Many people wait for the vehicles outside Patna Junction. There was a communication gap, but announcements will now be made at railway platforms, and people will gradually become aware,” he said.Animesh Kumar Parshar, managing director of Patna Smart City Limited (PSCL) inspected the facilities on Sunday and said that there is enough space for parking vehicles. “The ground floor is for buses, the first floor for autos, and the second floor for cabs,” he said.The multi-modal hub has eight gates, and the first gate is connected to the first-floor ramp. As per the new traffic route, gate 1 and gate 4 of the multi-modal hub are reserved for autos and e-rickshaws. They exit from gate 4 towards R-Block. Gate number 2, which leads to New Market Road, and gate number 8 (Budh Marg) are reserved for bus entry only. Buses exit from gate number 5 after moving clockwise inside. Upon exit, all buses turn right towards R-Block.Only private vehicles are allowed towards the station. Raj Kumar Jha, general secretary of Bihar State Auto-Chalak Sangh, said the auto drivers reported arguments with passengers who wanted to reach the station. “They refused to get down at the multi-modal hub and Tata Park’s parking facility. Secondly, the passengers are not coming to the first floor of the multi-modal hub,” he said.Nimisha Singh, a commuter, complained there is a communication gap. However, Ankit Kumar applauded the new facility.