Agartala: Nov 12: Despite repeated efforts by the traffic police and the Agartala Municipal Corporation’s task force to tackle the city’s traffic congestion, the situation continues to worsen, prompting the administration to take stricter measures. On Tuesday morning, a crackdown was carried out from the Post Office Chowmuhani to Maharajganj Market, where traffic officers and municipal task force personnel observed blatant violations by the public. In particular, in the Netaji Chowmuhani area, vendors were found setting up their shops on the roads, placing materials like ladders, posters, and other items right in front of their stores, obstructing the traffic flow. The municipal task force seized these items.
Additionally, traffic officers discovered illegal parking along the roadside, with both vehicles and motorcycles obstructing the path. Offenders were fined heavily, and violation stickers were placed on the vehicles. This led to heated arguments between the vendors and the traffic police, but the latter remained firm, explaining that the primary goal was to reduce congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow. The officers emphasized that illegal parking hampers pedestrians’ ability to reach their destinations on time and increases the risk of accidents. Those engaging in such activities would be fined, and further action would be taken against those obstructing the road with their merchandise.
The road between Post Office Chowmuhani and Maharajganj Market is one of the busiest in the city, and the authorities made it clear that such illegal practices would no longer be tolerated. However, they also acknowledged the rise in the number of e-rickshaws in Agartala, which has further exacerbated the congestion problem. With limited traffic police personnel available, the authorities are struggling to manage the growing issue. While some challenges lie within the jurisdiction of the Agartala Municipal Corporation and the Transport Department, the overall problem requires a coordinated effort. Experts suggest that the e-rickshaw issue needs urgent attention, with designated routes and regulations to ease congestion. Despite these efforts, the city remains plagued by traffic jams, making it difficult for residents to reach their destinations on time.
