Chhath devotees face chaotic traffic at Patna

Alok Mishra
Patna : Elaborate arrangements made by Patna district administration for Chhath notwithstanding, there was commotion on entire Patna-Danapur road. Vehicles carrying devotees and their family members were stuck at different places en route different ghats. Though large number of policemen, volunteers of different organisations and NCC cadets were seen facilitating smooth movement of vehicles, they had a tough time in controlling their movement.
Those moving towards Danapur and J P Setu had to face great hardship as the entire route to JP Setu was jampacked with vehicles. Though there was parking places at several places at Shiva Ghat under JP Setu, several vehicles were parked on both sides of the road.
People in an attempt to reach ghats even violated traffic rules and were seen moving on wrong side of the road causing traffic congestion everywhere. There are several ghats near Ganga right from Kurji Mor to Danapur and the cops had a tough time in controlling the huge crowd. Police patrolling cars were making polite pleas to the people to adhere to norms and let every vehicle to pass smoothly. Policemen were deployed in large number on Patna to Danapur road though to ensure smooth movement of vehicles.
Both the flanks of road leading to JP Setu were also  jam packed with vehicles. Many people preferred to leave their vehicles on the side of the road and walk on foot to the banks of river Ganga. The traffic was cleared for a moment as a senior IPS officer with his walkie talkie was on way to Sonepur. His gun-totting bodyguards were seen clearing the traffic for the vehicle. Some of the devotees appreciated the arrangements made by Patna district administration.