Administration to hear public to manage traffic in Tripura

Agartala, July 2 (UNI) Authorities have assured to enhance internal traffic system in Tripura towns, including the capital city, at the earliest after hearing public opinion.

It will also begin enforcement against emission and use of air horn in the vehicles.

Speaking on the Social Audit on Traffic Management organised by the leading private research institution of the state ARPAN here yesterday, Additional Director General of Police C Balasubramanium expressed concern over intermixing of vehicles in the towns.

He has instructed the Traffic authority to strengthen enforcement against emission, air horn, overloading, improper use of lights in the vehicles as well as violation of other traffic rules.

Initiating the discussion ARPAN secretary Jayanta Choudhury pointed out that traffic authorities have been harassing the citizens of the state by misinterpreting the use of helmet for past few weeks.

"According to Supreme Court decision wearing of BSI mark helmet is mandatory for both driver and riders, but the standardised helmet is not available in the state and traffic authority is forcing us to wear thin plastic caps, which in no way serves the purpose of helmet," Mr Choudhury said.

He urged the authority to concentrate on emission, sound pollution and educated the people on positive driving culture leaving aside the helmet issue till availability of standardised helmet in the market.Mr Choudhury has also emphasised on formulation of transport policy, withdrawing of slow moving traffic like paddle rickshaw from the major roads of the towns and strengthen public transport system besides, evicting footpath encroachers for pedestrians' safety.

ARPAN's report uttered concern over the red lighted vehicles in the state even though the ministers are not using red lights in their vehicle and stated that frequent movement of such cars were found responsible for traffic jam and accident while most of time it's appeared harassment to the tax payers.

Ruling party MLA Pabitra Kar, Chairperson-In-Council of Agartala Municipal council Samar Chakraborty, Additional District Magistrate and Collector K D Choudhury and Superintendent of Traffic Gourav Chakraborty was attended the programme along with hundred of prominent personalities of the state.

Record showed, increment rate of vehicles in Tripura is 16 per cent per annum, which is higher than the national average and it was due to poor transport system in the state that increased traffic congestion and road mishaps.

On an average one road accident is reported in a day in the state and at least 17 people, including five children, died while nine other sustained serious injuries in the state in separate street accidents during past fortnight, record indicated.

UNI