Bhagalpur: Bhagalpur is preparing to tackle its growing traffic problems with the help of technology. The district administration has decided to use Google Maps to monitor and control traffic across the city. Officials believe that using real-time data will help them understand where congestion builds up and allow them to respond quickly. The move comes as traffic conditions in many parts of Bhagalpur have worsened due to increasing vehicles and limited road space.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the traffic department chaired by the district magistrate, Dr Naval Kishore Chaudhary. He directed officials to divide the city into red and yellow zones with support from the district transport officer and the district technical officer. Areas facing heavy traffic congestion will be marked as red zones, while places with moderate traffic pressure will be identified as yellow zones. Google Maps will be used to study traffic flow, vehicle density and movement patterns in these areas.
To keep a close watch on the situation, details of the red and yellow zones will be shown on display boards at the Integrated Control Command Center, also known as I-Triple-C. Staff at the control centre will monitor traffic conditions in real time and inform the traffic department immediately if congestion increases. Teams will then be sent to the affected spots to manage traffic. The administration also plans to use public announcement systems to guide commuters and suggest alternative routes when main roads become crowded.
The traffic department is also planning stricter action on the Vikramshila Bridge, which often faces heavy congestion. Although warning messages about a Rs 10,000 fine for overtaking and video monitoring are already displayed on the bridge, challans have not yet started. Officials say stopping vehicles on the bridge would create more traffic jams. Within a week, special surveillance cameras will be activated to monitor overspeeding and overtaking. Vehicles breaking the rules will be stopped after crossing the bridge and fined. Authorities are hopeful that better use of technology and stricter enforcement will improve traffic movement in Bhagalpur.
