Patna: E-rickshaws have been barred from operating in the vicinity of Patna Junction as part of a wider traffic management overhaul aimed at easing congestion around one of the city’s busiest transport nodes.
Under the new system, autorickshaws will no longer be allowed to park indiscriminately near the Junction or the GPO roundabout. Instead, services will operate from two designated locations: the Tata Park stand near the Junction roundabout and the new railway parking area near the GPO roundabout.
The existing autorickshaw stand in front of Pal Hotel near the Junction roundabout has been merged with the Tata Park stand, which is currently being expanded. From Tata Park, autorickshaws will operate to routes including Kankarbagh, Kadamkuan, Rajendra Nagar, Kumhrar, Bairiya Bus Stand, Patna City and Hajipur.
Autorickshaws approaching from the western side of the city will operate from the new railway parking area near the GPO roundabout. Parking of autos near the GPO roundabout has been prohibited entirely. Drivers using the railway parking area will be required to pay a daily fee of Rs 20, while Vikram (three-wheeled vehicle) drivers will pay Rs 40. Vikram services are already operating from the railway parking area.
Move aimed at easing congestion
Traffic SP Vaibhav Sharma said the decision was taken to reduce traffic bottlenecks at the GPO and Patna Junction roundabouts, which often disrupt vehicle movement towards the multimodal hub.
“The presence of autorickshaws near the GPO roundabout was creating frequent congestion and obstructing traffic flow. With this new arrangement, we aim to ensure smoother movement and better regulation,” Sharma said.
Officials confirmed that e-rickshaws will not be permitted near the Junction roundabout, while autorickshaws operating from the eastern side of the city will be routed through Tata Park. Autos currently stationed near the GPO will be shifted to the railway parking area.
Traffic police said enforcement would be stepped up in the coming days to ensure compliance with the new system and warned that violations would invite action.
