STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: An immediate solution to traffic problems in Guwahati seems remote. And it has a number of reasons that need to be taken care off.
Some of the major reasons are (i) engineering problems in city roads, (ii) lack of adequate manpower, (ii) literacy and awareness level of drivers of various passenger-carrying vehicles, and (iv) Enforcement of traffic rules and regulations.
According to a source in Guwahati Traffic Police, the number of vehicles in the State is on the rise, but the roads in the city are of the same engineering design and width at many stretches. He said, "Passenger-carrying vehicles from Jalukbari side take a U-turn at the Bharalumukh Point. We deploy at least six traffic personnel for easing traffic congestion at the site, but to little avail. This is because of the engineering problem of the road.
"Guwahati is a vast city. On the contrary, the number of personnel deployed for traffic management is very few. The total strength Guwahati Traffic Police is around 700 including SIs, ASIs, constables and home guards. Thus, in a shift only 350 personnel can be deployed. This is too meagre a strength for the metropolitan city.
"Guwahati has 34 automated traffic signals, but of them only nine are working. Some of such signals have been out of order at important points like ABC Point, Basistha, Gorchuk, Lokhara etc. Basistha, Gorchuk, Lokhra etc., are very important from traffic point of view because of the national highway. We need to deploy at least six personnel at each of such points, but we can't due to lack of manpower. Traffic personnel are stressed due to overwork."
When asked on the out-of-order automated traffic signals in the city, DCP Pranjit Bora said, "Putting in place automated traffic signals in order is not of Traffic Police. Soon after taking charge as the new traffic DCP, I did my first duty to request the departments concerned to put in place the automated traffic signals in order.
"To bring about awareness on traffic signals, we do hold awareness programme. We don't charge fines alone for traffic rule violations. Our personnel are trained ones for counseling drivers and others on traffic rules. The rise in the number of vehicles is also creating more traffic congestion these days.
"Road crossing by pedestrians continues to be a major problem in Guwahati. Some new infrastructure projects are coming up in Guwahati. Along with them, if manpower problem is solved to an extent, things may change for the better."
On the traffic congestion at Ganeshguri, Bora said, "Flyovers are constructed to ease traffic congestions. Traffic congestion is not that serious at Six Mile and Bhangagarh. However, traffic congestion has taken a turn for the worse at Ganeshguri after the inauguration of the new wing of the flyover. But the picture will be clear only after the opening of the way to Zoo Road from GS Road which is closed now for 35 days."