a day ago
Deadline Ends Today: Pvt Buses Can Enter, But Can't Park & Jam
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Nagpur: Traffic police is set to launch a phased crackdown on private buses blocking arterial city roads from Wednesday, after expiry of the grace period given to operators to shift to designated parking and pick-up points.
Now, buses can enter or leave the city till they are allotted a proper parking place, but they cannot halt for a long time on key stretches such as Chhatrapati Nagar Square to pick up and drop passengers. "Buses without designated parking space cannot park their vehicles on roads and public utility areas," said DCP (Traffic) Lohit Matani told TOI.
The original order, issued on August 12, prohibited private buses from picking up or dropping passengers on major roads inside the Inner Ring Road between 8am and 10pm.
The move was prompted by frequent snarls and bottlenecks at busy junctions, especially during peak hours, as buses lined up for long stretches in densely populated areas. Following strong pleas from operators, the enforcement was deferred by a week, with traffic police opting for a phased rollout beginning with awareness drives.
"We will start gradually from tomorrow. After seven days, strict enforcement will begin.
This decision has been taken to decongest city roads and provide smoother commuting for Nagpurians," Matani told TOI.
The decision to delay action came after a high-level meeting between bus operators and Maharashtra revenue minister and guardian minister for Nagpur, Chandrashekhar Bawankule. The minister instructed officials to prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) to regulate buses. A joint committee comprising the Nagpur municipal commissioner, Nagpur Improvement Trust chairman, district collector, police commissioner, and bus operator representatives has been formed to identify designated pay-and-park locations within city limits.
Nagpur Travels Association president Baba Dawre assured full cooperation from operators.
"If any operator stops at a pick-up and drop point beyond the permitted time, we ourselves will provide his vehicle number to traffic police. Names of our representatives have already been submitted to join the official committee," he said.
Meanwhile, traffic police have prepared a comprehensive list of spots where private buses illegally halt and pick up passengers.
Accordingly, teams have also been formed to take action.
Around 21 officers have been deployed. Besides, flying squads have also been formed. A total of 21 teams will take action against those parking private buses illegally at various locations in the city from 8 am to 10 pm from Wednesday.
Residents, who raised voice against illegal parking of private buses on city roads, however, remain sceptical about the effectiveness of the move. In several locations, buses are known to halt for over an hour under the pretext of boarding passengers, worsening traffic jams while avoiding penalties.
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