RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Aug.6: A day after the Jharkhand High Court asked the district administration to ensure free flow of traffic in the state capital, traffic personnel swung into action in Upper Bazaar locality, the same area where Nagarmal Modi Seva Sadan and around 200 buildings and marketing complex exist without an approved plan.
A team of traffic personnel equipped with tractors and tow-away vehicles started lifting vehicles parked on the road and kept on lifting till 4 pm. As many as 44 vehicles, including 41 two-wheelers and 3 four-wheelers were lifted and taken to the New Police Line, a place close to the official residence of the chief minister under the Gonda police station area.
Lanes adjacent to Rangrez Gali and North Market, where traffic jams are a perennial problem, remained the main target. After the drive of the day concluded, the area road was smooth and driving gave a pleasant experience unlike other days but the businessmen of the locality and those whose vehicles were lifted were not happy.
“Traffic personnel did not even spare those who had come for marketing and were our customers. Our business got affected due to the drive. Finally, we have to close our shops and hit the street to protest against the excesses,” said a businessman angrily.
“How can a change take overnight? Today’s action made us restless. While those constructed buildings without approved plans are being spared, small shop owners are being harassed under the anti-encroachment drive,” a vendor, whose hand pushcart was damaged during the drive, said.
Dozens of people whose vehicles were lifted were noticed in the New Police Line to get their vehicles released after payment of fines.
“The traffic personnel lifted my vehicle saying it was parked on the road. When I went to get it released they verified every document and then released it, taking a fine of Rs 650. I had come to collect my due from businessmen in the market but returned losing my Rs 650 for no reason,” the youth said.
Traffic Dy.SP Jeetvahan Oraon confirmed the development saying the drive will continue.
“We will continue the drive in the evening too. It will continue tomorrow also,” Oraon said, confirming the action.
Taking the matter of smooth traffic, the court on Thursday categorically said that free flow of traffic has to be ensured at any cost and residents cannot be allowed to park their vehicles on the road.
While observing this the court gave direction to the Federation of Jharkhand Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) to give a proposal for free flow of traffic.
The high court also asked the trade body to furnish the list of their members and inform them about the parking arrangement they have made for their vehicles. The court also asked the trade body to provide the number of vehicles in use by members of the trade body.
