Traffic Jams at Tilakamanjhi Chowk Due to Arbitrary Auto Operations; Confusion Among Drivers Regarding Administrative Orders
Bhagalpur: Maintaining a smooth traffic management system in Bhagalpur, often called the Silk City of Bihar, continues to be a major challenge for the district administration and traffic police. To alleviate the frequent traffic jams at the busy Tilakamanjhi Chowk, the administration implemented several route changes. As part of this, a new route via Hatiya Road was designated for auto-rickshaws (Totos) to reduce vehicle congestion at the main intersection.
However, due to lax implementation on the ground and arbitrary behavior by some auto drivers, the situation remains unchanged. Because of the violation of traffic rules and a lack of clarity in administrative orders, confusion and mutual disputes are now arising among the drivers themselves.
Ignoring Designated Routes and Increasing Disruption
To tackle the heavy and crawling traffic congestion at Tilakamanjhi Chowk, the traffic department took a strategic step by instructing Totos to operate via Hatiya Road. The main objective of this arrangement was to prevent long queues of Totos at the main intersection so that the general public, school children, and ambulances would not face traffic jams.
Despite the new rules, violations are openly committed daily by some auto drivers. The situation is such that instead of taking the designated route (Hatiya Road), many drivers are operating their vehicles straight from Tilakamanjhi Chowk and passing right in front of the SSP's residence. The sudden movement of Totos through this high-security and sensitive VIP area has once again started increasing traffic pressure there.
Why is There Confusion Among Drivers?
The worst impact of this arbitrary behavior is falling on those disciplined drivers who are honestly using the longer or alternative route via Hatiya Road in compliance with administrative guidelines.
When some drivers are seen passing smoothly in front of the SSP's residence without any checks or warnings, other auto drivers naturally begin to question who the rules are actually meant for. A deep sense of confusion and ambiguity prevails among the drivers over whether the traffic police have relaxed the route rules or if a new revised order has been issued.
Seeing different rules being applied for the same city and the same route has fueled friction among drivers and resentment toward administrative laxity.
Urgent Need for Administrative Strictness and Clarity
Local citizens, shopkeepers, and daily commuters state that a permanent solution to this problem is impossible unless the traffic police adopt a strict stance and issue a transparent, clear-cut directive regarding the guidelines.
Uniform Rules: The administration must ensure that route regulations are implemented uniformly for all auto drivers.
Monitoring and Deployment: Additional traffic personnel should be deployed near the SSP's residence and Tilakamanjhi Chowk to immediately penalize rule-breakers.
Clearing Up Confusion: The police administration should use loudspeakers or official announcements to clearly communicate the route chart so that confusion among drivers is eliminated.
The citizens and conscious drivers of Bhagalpur have urged the district administration to take immediate cognizance of this matter so that the city's traffic system can get back on track and citizens can find relief from daily traffic jams.
