Anuj Sharma, Muzaffarpur. Traffic jam is a big problem in the North Bihar cities of Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Motihari, Bettiah, Sitamarhi, Samastipur and Madhubani. The administration has made preparations to deal with this. The administration is going to take action by keeping the ‘3 E’ of traffic in mission mode. So that there is no jam on the roads and people can walk safely. The ‘BollywoodWallah’ team had investigated for four days to find out the reasons for the traffic problem in seven cities of North Bihar. In these cities, 20 people each from different categories including multi-wheeler drivers, traders, shopkeepers, pedestrians, bike drivers, e-rickshaw drivers, auto operators, traffic police and transport officials were interviewed. The investigation found that the reason for traffic jams and accidents in cities is not following the ‘three E’s’ of traffic.
First ‘E’, engineering of traffic
This includes making the roads better and keeping them safe, maintaining the signals and signal system in good condition, providing easy access to all users – drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, etc., making arrangements for vending zones, parking etc. On the contrary, far from being built in cities, the roads that are built are also being dug up for drains, pipelines etc. Encroachments on roads and hoardings, banners, posters and flags have become separate obstacles to safe traffic.
Second ‘E’ Education:
That is, how aware are the people walking on the road about knowing and following traffic rules etc. During a four-day investigation, it was found that most of the drivers who obtained licenses without going to driving college were unable to even understand traffic signs. Are not following rules other than helmet while driving.
Third ‘E’ Enforcement
This includes action taken by the government, administration and police against elements causing obstruction in traffic. The local administration and police are not able to take effective action against those who encroach on the roads and do not follow traffic rules. For poor design, construction and maintenance of the road, action has to be taken against the contractor building the road under Section 198A of the MV Act. For giving a vehicle to minor children, along with a fine of Rs 25,000, the person giving the vehicle is to be punished with three years of imprisonment under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, along with canceling the registration of the vehicle for one year. This action has been taken against hardly anyone in the seven districts. Cameras are installed in cities but after seeing their footage, no action or corrective steps are being taken.
Time gap of public transport, market-office, schools is necessary: ​​Scientist Dr. Ravindra
To bring the traffic of North Bihar back on track which has reached D capacity, there is a need to promote public and sharing transport. This is the suggestion of Dr. Ravindra Kumar, Head of Department and Chief Scientist, TPE, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute. He says that the possibility of making it one-way by stopping the entry of big vehicles in the city will have to be looked at. There should be staggered timings in markets, schools and government and non-government offices. That is, by changing the timings of some offices from 8 am to 4 pm, some from 9 am to 5 pm and some from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, peak hour traffic can be controlled. This system can also be implemented in markets and schools. Promoting parking licenses and cycling will also be helpful.