Wrong-side driving: Commuters continue to take risky route on Lakkar Bridge

Despite awareness and challaning drives launched by the city traffic police, the people don’t care two hoots about traffic rules. Risking their lives, commuters are driving on the wrong side on Lakkar Bridge.

Notably, the city’s busiest Domoria Railway Under Bridge (RUB) has been closed in December due to the ongoing project of widening of railway tracks. The underpass will remain closed for 90 days. Following the closure of Domoria Bridge, Lakkar Bridge has experienced a significant surge in traffic volume, particularly on stretches between Pavillion Chowk and Mata Rani Chowk and Railway Road and Pavillion Chowk. However, the situation has been exacerbated by rampant wrong-side driving on the Pavillion Chowk-Mata Rani Chowk stretch, resulting in an alarming increase in vehicular traffic on the bridge. It poses a substantial risk of accidents, underscoring the need for immediate attention and effective traffic management measures.

Interestingly, during initial days of closure of Domoria RUB, only two-wheeler riders used to drive on the wrong side on Lakkar Bridge. But nowadays, four-wheelers and auto-rickshaws are also taking the wrong route on the bridge. This practice may invite unwanted mishaps anytime and strict measures need to be taken to discourage the same.

A car-borne commuter, when asked why he chose to drive on the wrong side on the bridge putting his life at risk, the driver said he had to reach Pavillion Chowk urgently to meet his client. Hence, he decided to take the wrong route as it was a shortcut. He said he would drive slow and take enough precautions to prevent any collision with vehicles coming from the opposite side.

A bike-borne rider, who was also driving on the wrong side, said: “I know going on the wrong side on the bridge is against law but I daily take this route as it saves time and fuel. I request the traffic police to put barricading on the bridge for two-way traffic till the time the Domoria RUB is opened for vehicular traffic.”

On many occasions, the traffic police install nakas on Lakkar Bridge to catch offenders and issue challans against wrong-side driving. However, people remain adamant and show a careless approach.