PATACHARKUCHI, Jan 30 - Heavy traffic jams, as a matter of routine, at Pathsala town of Bajali subdivision in Barpeta district has not only hindered normal surface communication, but has also posed a serious threat to the safety of people of the locality, besides those visiting Pathsala for various works on a daily basis.
Pathsala town, otherwise best known as an educational and cultural hub of the State, is also a well-known business centre with various Government and private institutions, banks and business establishments, besides hospitals and headquarter town of Bajali subdivision, which regularly witnesses a huge rush of people with their two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
Under such circumstances, the main road is often choked with heavy traffic, with little space left for free flow of vehicles. The overall situation is aggravated further as vehicles are parked on both sides of the road.
Earlier, the Bajali subdivisional administration did make an earnest effort to solve the problem by putting in place some parking rules. However, the effort failed to have the desired effect. Besides this, the footpaths and roadsides in most parts of the town are perennially occupied by kiosks, thereby severely restricting the movement of people through the footpaths.
Additionally, stray cattle too have compounded the congestion even further as they invariably hinder free movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
During the evening hours, stray cows are often seen blocking the roads by resting in the middle and virtually claiming right of way. Heavy rush of vehicles during peak business hours also creates serious problems for the people. Exasperated, the people have sought respite from the regular traffic snarls and urged the authority concerned to find a solution to the nagging problem in the greater interest of the tax-paying public.
