Patna: A fresh anti-encroachment drive is set to begin in Patna from April 1, with authorities planning a coordinated, multi-agency campaign to tackle illegal occupation of public spaces and persistent traffic congestion across the city.
The initiative has been launched on the instructions of district magistrate Dr Tyagarajan SM, with officials confirming that the campaign will run until April 30. A total of nine teams have been formed, and a detailed calendar has been issued to guide enforcement across multiple zones.
The drive will cover six municipal zones — Nutan Rajdhani, Pataliputra, Kankarbagh, Bankipur, Azimabad and Patna City — along with adjoining urban areas including Khagaul, Phulwari and Danapur Nizamat.
Officials from several departments, including the municipal corporation, traffic police, transport, revenue, road construction, health, fire services and electricity, will be involved in the campaign, reflecting its scale and urgency.
Authorities have been directed to ensure strict compliance through coordination and communication, while the urban management unit has been tasked with issuing monthly calendars, removing encroachments and maintaining follow-up enforcement teams.
The renewed crackdown comes amid mounting concerns over traffic congestion, particularly near the GPO roundabout, where illegal auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw stands have continued to disrupt movement despite earlier interventions.
Five unauthorised auto stands have reportedly emerged around the GPO Golambar area, with drivers frequently picking up and dropping passengers on busy roads instead of operating from the designated multi-modal hub.
The resulting congestion has led to frequent traffic jams throughout the day, affecting commuters and local residents. Vehicles are also reportedly stationed on both sides of the road near the petrol pump before the GPO flyover, further narrowing carriageways.
Although traffic police personnel are deployed in the area, enforcement has remained inconsistent, with many drivers continuing to flout regulations without fear of penalties.
The multi-modal hub near Patna Junction was established to streamline traffic and reduce congestion by integrating auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, buses and cabs into a single operational space. A revised parking system introduced in May 2025 aimed to ensure that commercial vehicles operate from designated locations such as the hub, Buddha Smriti and Tata Parking.
However, authorities acknowledge that compliance has been limited, with many drivers continuing to operate informally on city roads, undermining the intended benefits of the system.
With the upcoming anti-encroachment drive, officials hope to restore order on Patna’s roads and improve traffic flow in some of the city’s most congested areas.
