Patna, Bihar’s bustling capital city, finds itself in the throes of chronic traffic congestion exacerbated by ongoing urban development projects, prompting widespread frustration among residents and commuters alike.
The city’s roadways have become increasingly choked with traffic, particularly during peak hours in the afternoon and evening. Residents cite haphazard roadside parking, encroachments by vendors and shopkeepers, and ongoing construction activities as primary contributors to the gridlock. The situation is notably dire along major arteries such as Ashok Rajpath, Fraser Road, Bailey Road, and Langar Toli, where vehicles often maneuver through narrowed lanes due to ongoing construction of infrastructure like the double-decker flyover and metro stations. Commuters describe arduous journeys home, with travel times doubling or even tripling during rush hours. A resident of Ramna Road lamented a daily commute that stretched to an hour and a half, exacerbated by illegal parking and erratic driving behaviors that impede traffic flow. Schoolchildren are also significantly affected, as buses and vans navigate through snarled traffic in areas like Patliputra, Ashiana, Digha, and Kankarbagh, delaying their journeys to and from schools.
Authorities, including the district administration and city traffic police, acknowledge the severity of the issue and assert ongoing efforts to mitigate congestion. Patna Divisional Commissioner Kumar Ravi highlighted measures such as opening approach roads to prioritize ambulance access and conducting anti-encroachment drives across critical areas. He emphasized the deployment of dedicated traffic police teams to enforce no-parking regulations and ensure smoother traffic flow in congested zones. The District Magistrate affirmed collaborative efforts between traffic police and the Patna Municipal Corporation to explore temporary solutions while major infrastructure projects like the Patna metro proceed. He assured residents that completion of these projects will ultimately alleviate traffic pressures and usher in a more efficient urban transport network. These concerns persist among residents over the immediate impact of construction activities and the effectiveness of enforcement measures. They urge authorities to expedite infrastructural developments while maintaining stringent oversight to safeguard commuter interests and mitigate disruptions caused by ongoing urbanization.
