Patna: The Patna administration has approved a new framework for regulating auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw operations, with plans to divide the city into three colour-coded zones and introduce route-based permits aimed at improving traffic management and passenger services.
The proposal was finalised during a meeting chaired by Patna Divisional Commissioner Mayank Warwade on Thursday, bringing together officials from the Transport Department, Regional Transport Authority and other agencies to discuss measures for streamlining urban transport.
Three-Zone Permit System Planned
Under the proposed system, Patna’s urban area will be divided into three operational zones, each identified by a separate colour code.
Auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws will receive permits linked to designated routes and vehicle carrying capacities, with authorities aiming to reduce route overlaps and improve the overall flow of traffic.
Officials also agreed to create “free zones” for reserved and prepaid auto-rickshaw services, a move intended to improve passenger convenience while reducing congestion at key locations.
Restrictions Proposed On Busy Roads
The meeting also considered proposals to prohibit e-rickshaw operations on several of Patna’s busiest corridors in the interest of road safety and traffic management.
The routes identified for the proposed restrictions include Bailey Road, Old Bypass, Exhibition Road, Bakarganj, Fraser Road, the Gandhi Maidan area, the Anisabad–Phulwarisharif corridor, Atal Path and Ganga Path.
The proposals are intended to ease congestion on major arterial roads that experience heavy traffic throughout the day.
Officials Stress Passenger Convenience
Divisional Commissioner Mayank Warwade said the zoning model had been designed to minimise conflicts between vehicle routes while ensuring safe and efficient traffic movement.
He said route planning had been carried out with the objective of ensuring that passengers could continue to reach their destinations without unnecessary inconvenience.
According to officials, the new system seeks to balance traffic management with the need to maintain accessible public transport across the city.
Digital Database And Online Permits
Transport Department Secretary Rajkumar proposed creating a comprehensive digital database of all auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws operating in Patna.
The database will be prepared by collecting information from driver associations through prescribed forms following a public awareness campaign, after which the records will be digitised.
He also announced that the Transport Department plans to develop integrated software for all districts in Bihar, enabling vehicle permits to be issued through an online application system in the future.
Senior officials, including Regional Transport Authority Secretary Manoj Kumar Chaudhary and representatives from the National Informatics Centre (NIC), attended the meeting.
