Ban on autos in market areas resented

THE EXERCISE launched by the district administration to streamline traffic operations in the city has not been taken kindly here. The decision to ban operation of autos in the main markets and plan to restrict the operation of four wheelers in peak hours there has generated tremendous resentment among the auto operators. Political parties too have criticised the decision of the administration.

THE EXERCISE launched by the district administration to streamline traffic operations in the city has not been taken kindly here. The decision to ban operation of autos in the main markets and plan to restrict the operation of four wheelers in peak hours there has generated tremendous resentment among the auto operators. Political parties too have criticised the decision of the administration.

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State in-charge of Apna Dal, Rajendra Prasad Prajapati, and divisional president of the party, Mohammad Arif alias Bhole, strongly condemned the harassment of auto wheelers by the police officials. The party leaders threatened to hit the street if the ban on auto wheelers in city areas was not revoked.

Prajapati said on one hand the State government was distributing unemployment allowance to the unemployed youth while on the other, police officials were harassing those who had bought autos on loan from banks to earn their livelihood. They accused the cops of beating up the auto drivers and expressed apprehension that the decision of the administration would deprive the youth from earning their livelihood. The party has convened a meeting on July 4 to discuss the future course of action in this regard. Meanwhile, SSP Raja Srivastav, said the administration was determined to streamline traffic movement in the main markets. The district administration had decided to convert historical Katchery Club ground situated in the heart of the city, for parking of vehicles. Traders of Golghar and Cinema road had been directed to park their vehicles in the ground.

Sources said the administration had decided to make parking place under Baldewa Tower at Golghar to ease traffic snarls. It is to be noted that haphazard parking of vehicles on both sides of the road in the main
market has become a regular feature aggravating the traffic problem.