Strange are the ways of government department functioning. This proved true in the city on Thursday when the traffic department of the Nagpur Police enforced a new rule without any prior information or notice.
City residents heading to Nagpur railway station from Kasturchand Park were taken by surprise when they found that right turn towards the station from Jaistambh Square was prohibited.
The particular stretch of road in question is a very busy connecting East and West Nagpur. The people after a long time had a respite when the second phase of Ram Jhula was dedicated to public on January 18, this month after a long wait. The commuters had to face a tough time as the work was inordinately delayed for some or the other reasons.
On Thursday, a lots of people heading towards Nagpur Railway station were caught with surprise to learn that they are not allowed to take a right turn towards station and instead they will have to go till Mayo Hospital, take a U turn and come back.
A temporary move: DCP Traffic
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Raj Tilak Roushan said, “:Jaistambh Square is like any other junction in the city, with added importance of railway station in the vicinity. As of now, all the signals at this junction are not functional. Moreover there are no zebra crossing etc markings. Before these arrangements are put in place, opening the barricades will lead to huge merging of traffic without control of signals. So, for the time being right turn has been forbidden.†He said there is a U-turn at the end of the bridge and it hardly takes 2-3 more minutes to cover the way till the railway station. The move to restrict right turn also helps easing congestion at Jaistambh Square. Initiative for traffic signals and zebra crossing etc has been taken by traffic department keeping NMC in loop. The new system should be in place with a day or two, he said.
Mr Roushan admitted that prior information should have been given to the public. However, it is matter of a day or two and the decision has been taken in the interest of the commuters, he added.