Alok campaigns to ease city traffic woes

Parliamentarian Alok Sharma on Wednesday launched a campaign to improve traffic flow, remove abandoned vehicles, and clear encroachments affecting roads and footpaths across the city.

Sharma met Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh, Police Commissioner Harinarayan Chari Mishra, and Municipal Commissioner Harendra Narayan. He said unregulated e-rickshaws, often parked haphazardly and moving slowly, cause major congestion on key roads.

A dedicated policy to manage e-rickshaw operations will soon be framed to ensure smoother traffic movement, especially along routes to the airport and railway station.

Sharma also raised the issue of abandoned vehicles blocking streets. The Collector directed SDMs to identify trenching yard sites, with a 15-day clearance drive set to begin on June 20.

He highlighted that footpaths are blocked by vendors and illegal structures on drainage lines, leaving no space for pedestrians. The Collector agreed these encroachments must be removed promptly.

An anti-encroachment squad will be formed, headed by the ADM and including civic, police, and administrative officers. A mobile court and magistrate will support enforcement efforts.

Sharma also noted misuse of Corporation parking spaces, where vehicles remain for months. He proposed setting time limits to ensure better circulation and availability.