Education Department Advises students starting early from home, avoid jams
With schools reopening on July 1, city roads will see a 40% increase in traffic. To ensure students reach school on time, police have planned special measures and schools are urging early departures. The Education Department too has asked schools to appeal their students to start early from homes.
Nagpur is experiencing road construction works, causing significant traffic diversions and congestion. The closure of the road near the Ambazari overflow point and the narrow lanes due to bridge constructions on Amravati Road, Golibar Chowk to Ashok Chowk to Dighori, and Ajni bridge are leading to traffic chaos, especially during peak hours of morning and evening. While CBSE schools have already reopened, state schools will open on July 1, there will be additional traffic plying on city roads including school buses and auto-rickshaws. According to a principal of a school, students will face problems in reaching schools in time due to the heavy traffic.
Deputy Director of Education Ulhas Narad said, “We have instructed education officers in all six districts to ask schools to encourage students to leave home early. Traffic chaos is being experienced in Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Wardha, and Nagpur. We have also requested schools not to penalize students if they arrive late for a few days.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Shashikant Satav stated, “We have made special arrangements to ensure students and their parents can reach schools smoothly. We have identified major schools and will deploy traffic cops accordingly. These officers will manage heavy traffic areas and prevent jams. They will assist students if they get stuck in traffic. Due to construction, many roads have been diverted or converted into two-way streets. We have asked the Regional Traffic Office (RTO) to check school bus permits, and any violations will result in the RTO detaining the buses. Without a permit, if a bus is involved in an accident, authorities cannot take compensatory actions.”