When traffic police makes a mess of things, who’s there to control traffic?

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, August 21: Traffic congestion in Guwahati leading to accidents is a growing trend. Negligence on the part of the traffic police also adds to the problem.

With the number of vehicles rising very fast in Guwahati and the number of people visiting the city rising even faster, footbridges are structures that can give the pedestrians and vehicle users the much-needed succour, besides the traffic magers. Some footbridges have been erected at some spots in the city where traffic congestion is out of control. Such a traffic bridge has also been erected at Maligaon Chariali. However, sheer irresponsibility on the part of the traffic police and district administration has made a mess of things. The pedestrians cannot use the footbridge for no fault of theirs. The Pandu side of the footbridge has its entrance almost blocked. Jalukbari Police is caught on the camera by parking vehicles that were seized after accidents near the entrance of the footbridge. The public are also seen to park their vehicles near the entrance of the footbridge, blocking the entrance. This is despite the fact that ‘no-parking’ is written their distinctly. As if to make a mess of things, an e-toilet is located there.

The situation is no different in the other side of the bridge. A shoe vendor is doing a brisk business near the entrance of the footbridge. Since people flock the vendor it is very difficult for pedestrians to go to the footbridge. This is how a public installation has been left out of use by none other than the traffic police and the public. Will the traffic police personnel manning Jalukbari police station rack their brains and ensure the proper use of the footbridge? This unwanted development has led pedestrians to cross the busy road directly without using the footbridge. This is fraught with the risk of accidents, besides obstructing the free flow of vehicles.