DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur: Beautiful broad roads welcome visitors to Diglipur bazaar in North Andaman region. But lack of road signages and designated Parking lots has become a source of concern for motorists in the area. Commuters are harassed as a major section of the arterial road in Diglipur bazaar remains occupied by auto rickshaws and other private vehicles.
According to sources, the main road at Diglipur was widened about four years ago. However, agencies have failed to place road signages and Parking sign boards to streamline traffic movement in the region. Parking sign boards in majority of the places here have presently only the steel frame standing. Sensing the opportunity, motorists park their vehicles anywhere in the market place obstructing normal traffic and causing trouble to pedestrians. Autowallahs, who earlier used to park their vehicles at designated places, have now captured almost the entire market place.
The Police confiscate helmets of two wheeler owners, who park their vehicles near police booths. But they give a damn care to the violations in other parts of the bazaar. STS drivers too stop their buses in the middle of the main road stretch disrupting traffic in the region. Footpaths remain encroached by shopkeepers in the absence of any supervision by the agencies concerned. Worst affected are the pedestrians, who are forced to walk on the main road risking their lives.
The law enforcing agencies should immediately jump into action and streamline traffic movement in the rapidly growing Diglipur region. The APWD and the Panchayat authorities should also install road signages at necessary locations for the benefit of the road users. Police should also embark on strict measures to check traffic violations in the area.
