Traffic advisory committee to submit report in 10 days

Plan to ban trucks, tankers, trailers on the NH stretch that passes through the city

Crying for attention:A transport lorry going towards Rajamahendravaram that climbed a divider at Satyam Junction while trying to avoid hitting an autorickshaw in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Photo: C.V.Subrahmanyam

The traffic advisory committee which was recently formed has been asked to submit a report on how to deal with the growing traffic problems in the city within 10 days.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao here on Sunday. The meeting was attended by District Collector N. Yuvaraj, GVMC Commissioner Pravin Kumar, Commissioner of Police T. Yoganand and representatives from Road Transport Authority and APSRTC.

Addressing the media after the meeting, the Minister said that the increase in number of vehicles on the road and migration of vehicles were the major problems. “A detailed report will be filed in 10 days and basing on the report, steps will be taken. But we have identified a few problems and those will be addressed on a war-footing,” said Mr. Ganta.

To begin with the committee is contemplating the banning of all trucks, oil tankers, trailers and heavy vehicles on the NH stretch that passes through the city. This apart, ‘no auto’ zone may also come into force to reduce the vehicle flow on the road.

“Talks are on to open the proposed road that passes through NSTL to divert traffic from Gopalpatnam. The land belongs to Ministry of Defence and we are negotiating with them. This will reduce the load at NAD Junction,” said Mr. Ganta.

The proposal has been mooted to appoint a DCP rank officer for the Traffic Department and to develop a parallel enforcement wing under the District Transport Commissioner.

The report will also contain the future requirements and proposals such as flyovers, FoBs and subways, said the HRD Minister.