With rising number of vehicles, city roads choked by congestion

There is no respite from congestion, air and noise pollution for the residents on city roads as the number of vehicles keeps increasing every year.

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In a positive development, 4,715 e-rickshaws, a noiseless mode of green transport, were added during the past three years yet there is no respite from traffic congestion and noise pollution on roads. Earlier, only 168 e-rickshaws were added from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 in the city. As per government records, the city has about 20,000 auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws plying on roads. However, city residents feel their actual number may be much higher than the official figures. Auto drivers tend to stop their vehicles mid-way to pick their prospective customers. In most cases, many of them stop and swarm around customers causing frequent traffic snarls. Such chaotic scenes are visible on the roads around the ISBT, railway station and main commercial stretches of the city.

Amid the growing number of vehicles, four-wheelers saw a major surge in numbers with 43,434 more being added during the past three years. From 2017 to 2020, 37,147 vehicles were registered with the Regional Transport Office.

Over 1.41 lakh two-wheelers were registered during the past three years which was a decline in number compared to the three years from 2017 to 2020 when over 1.73 lakh two-wheelers were registered.

RTO Khushal Singh said reduction in congestion, air and noise pollution was the collective responsibility of government departments and citizens. Shopkeepers must avoid placing their material on roadside, vehicles should be parked in the open space available, so as not to hinder traffic flow.

Prabhjot Singh, a shopkeeper, said the holy city receives a large number of floating population of tourists and people residing in towns in its vicinity.