‘Growing number of vehicles cause of traffic chaos in Nellore’

A study by Azim Premji University student suggests remedial measures

A scene at Kanakamahal Centre on Trunk Road in Nellore.

: Increasing number of vehicles, especially cars, motorcycles and autorickshaws, is the immediate reason for the chaotic traffic conditions prevailing in the arterial roads in the city, even as the internal roads are no exception for this unwholesome scenario.

A field-level analysis done by M.V. Sushmita, a student of the Bangalore-based Azim Premji University, revealed the ever increasing traffic problems in Nellore which has seen unforeseen migration from rural areas and also concentrated development of shopping areas close to the west side of the Kolkatta-Chennai railway track over the past four decades.

“For a smoother flow of traffic, paid parking facilities should be provided near RTC bus stand and shopping centres to meet the needs of shoppers and visitors. More stringent measures need to be taken in interior places like Mandapala Street which is a hectic shopping area,” said Ms. Sushmita, who is studying MA in Public Policy and Governance.

During her field visits to the respective places and offices, she took inputs from the officials drawn from the traffic police, Nellore Municipal Corporation, shopkeepers, traders and so on.

Bottlenecks

She made several recommendations of which the main focus was laid on the need for removing bottlenecks at the huge statue-cum- traffic islands located all along the main Trunk Road, which incidentally is the only shopping destination for the 6 lakh odd population as well as several thousands of floating population from rural areas.

As the distance between the dividers and the traffic island is large, the distance needs to be blocked using barricades and make enough number of openings for vehicles to take a turn. By doing so, the problem of unclear view of the other side of the road can be avoided.

Odd-even rule

In the interiors of the city, shopping areas like Kapu street, Manadapala street and Chinna Bazaar get flooded with vehicles and shoppers.

Odd-even rule must be implemented here, according to which vehicles must be parked on the left side of the road on odd days of the month and on the right side on even days. This must be ensured with the cooperation and understanding of the residents of the area and the authorities. Streamlining traffic should be one of the immediate concerns in shopping areas. Mandapala Street, which acts a link between Chinna Bazaar and Kapu street, gets affected from both directions and also because of its own commercial establishments. One-way traffic rule can be imposed here to regulate and ensure smooth traffic.