VISAKHAPATNAM: Bus stops near major traffic signals are leading to traffic snarls in Vizag city. Buses are stopping in the middle of the road to allow passengers to get in. This practice is widely witnessed during the peak hours. Most of the bus stops on either side of the NH-16 stretch and also other roads are located immediately after traffic signal points, curves or turns.
City traffic police have observed that bus stops near traffic signal points are responsible for choking the road with buses as well as auto-rickshaws during the peak hours. Once buses stop at these points, they tend to occupy a lot of road space leading to traffic jams. Also, auto-rickshaws that ferry commuters on the NH-16 stretch are adding to the chaos during the morning as well as evening hours, they added.
“First and foremost, remove the RTC bus stops which come immediately after a traffic signal, constricting the traffic flow. Take out those useless barricades except those near school zones,” opined Venkatesh G, a motorist in Vizag city.
Bus stops and auto stands must be set up some metres away from the main traffic signal points to ease the congestion. But now most of the bus stops are located close to traffic signal points. We have been appealing to the GVMC to relocate some bus stops to ensure free flow of traffic, said ADCP (traffic), Vizag city, Ch Adinarayana.
Apart from the bus stops near the traffic junctions, sometimes, RTC buses and auto-rickshaws are also adding to traffic problems. Despite repeated instructions, drivers of RTC buses and auto-rickshaws are stopping in the middle of the road at some places in the city.
