GUNTUR: The increasing vehicular traffic is leading to several problems to motorists in Guntur. In the wake of the hardship to commuters, the Guntur Municipal Corporation has identified 14 areas in the city, where traffic snarls are occurring heavily, and decided to widen the junctions. The GMC had already expanded a few roads and is chalking out plans to widen the remaining soon.
The Zinna Tower, NTR Statue, BR Stadium, Hanumaiah Statue, Old Bus Stand Centre, Lodge Centre, Gujjanagundla, Naaz Centre, Nagarmapalem Mudubommla Centre, GMC Office, Collectorate, Chuttun-gunta, Communist Bommala Centre and Yettu Road Centre were identified to be posing problem to the traffic cops in the city. The GMC is planning to implement one-way rule at a few junctions and to expand roads in other centres.
The cops have decided to implement one-way rule at NTR Statue, develop a traffic island and allow free left at BR Stadium, encroachments would be removed at the historical Zinnah Tower, the water fountain would be removed from the middle of the road and a new traffic island would be built at the Collectorate and at the GMC Centre. The cops have proposed either expansion of roads, removal of encroachments or development of traffic islands in the above areas.
Further, the GMC is also considering proposals about paid parking on the main roads. Stray animal menace on roads is also leading to traffic problems. So the GMC has decided to shift the animals to Bandela Doddi (animal protection centre) and to impose penalty on those failing to prevent their animals from wandering on the roads. Many of the students lamented that there were numerous traffic jams both in the morning and evening at Arundelpeta, Brodipeta, Lodge Centre, Zinna Tower, Market, Old Guntur and NTR Statue. These areas are troubling employees and workers too. Many of the commuters suggested that the traffic cops take immediate action to resolve the persistent problem.
GMC commissioner S. Nagalakshmi said some roads have already been expanded and widening of other roads and development of traffic junctions would be completed soon for smooth flow of traffic. The cops are aiming at smooth flow of traffic in the city and planning to take up several measures to ensure it.
