E-Paper
Nov 25: A rally of traffic teasers
UNABLE TO drive city out of traffic chaos triggered by the Setu fall, the traffic managers seem blissfully unaware of the big challenge ahead on Saturday. SP rally on Lakshman Mela Ground, Lucknow Mahotsava on Ambedkar Maidan, SP student leaders? threat to spoil the Lucknow University foundation day programme, a fashion show at Golf Club, a protest march for arrest of Lucknow Public School manager CP Singh?s killers, a function at IIM and many other events are sure to test city on the road.
UNABLE TO drive city out of traffic chaos triggered by the Setu fall, the traffic managers seem blissfully unaware of the big challenge ahead on Saturday.
SP rally on Lakshman Mela Ground, Lucknow Mahotsava on Ambedkar Maidan, SP student leaders’ threat to spoil the Lucknow University foundation day programme, a fashion show at Golf Club, a protest march for arrest of Lucknow Public School manager CP Singh’s killers, a function at IIM and many other events are sure to test city on the road.
There are about half-a-dozen important events scheduled to be held on Saturday. But, are the traffic cops ready for this?
Not really. The situation can easily be gauged from the fact that new SP (Traffic) RK Srivastava, who took charge on Friday only, was unaware of the traffic arrangements on Saturday. No specific plan has been made to deal with the additional pressure expected on the city roads.
Traffic police have only issued directives about restriction on certain routes leading to the Lakshman Mela ground regarding Samajwadi Party (SP) conference.
But, no information has been given about Lucknow Mahotsava or other events being held in the city on Saturday.
When inquired about the preparation, the new SP (Traffic) said an additional police force had been deployed to ease the traffic movement.
He, however, could not specify whether the cops would be put on the traffic management duty.
It was revealed following information from the SSP office that the additional force has been deployed merely to ensure security arrangement at the Samajwadi Party rally and during inauguration of the Lucknow Mahotsava. This police force has no role in management of traffic.
Hanuman Setu Road has already been restricted as one-way between 9 am and 8 pm for movement of the vehicles. And, the function at LU would cause more chaos on the Varsity Road and Parivartan Chowk.
Sources said the traffic police force available for routine duty daily would look after the traffic management on Saturday too.
There was small number of force to look after the traffic arrangement in the rest of the city as the Chief Minister has to attend both the events.
