A controversial traffic restriction that banned the entry of auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and taxis inside Patna Junction was implemented and then hastily postponed all within a single day on Monday. The move triggered intense protests from drivers' unions and caused widespread inconvenience to thousands of daily commuters.
Chaos and Stranded Commuters at the Station
The ban came into effect on Monday morning, barring all hired vehicles from entering the station premises from the roundabout. The immediate consequence was chaos and confusion. Thousands of people, including railway passengers, office-goers, and elderly citizens, found themselves stranded with no immediate transport options.
Long queues formed at alternative pick-up points like the multi-modal hub, while pedestrians struggled on roads blocked by the sudden change. Many were forced to walk considerable distances, dragging their luggage, to find a ride. Priya Sharma, a college student, revealed she waited for 35 minutes before finally getting an e-rickshaw from a parking area, a service that normally costs her Rs 80-100 from the station itself.
Ramesh Kumar, a 57-year-old resident of Kankarbagh, shared his ordeal, stating he had to drag two suitcases for nearly a kilometre due to his knee pain as not a single auto was available inside the circle.
Driver Unions Strike, Administration Backtracks
In response to the ban, hundreds of auto and e-rickshaw drivers, supported by their unions, launched a spontaneous strike and staged a road blockade near the station. Protesters sat on the roads, raising slogans against the district administration and police, bringing traffic to a standstill.
Pappu Kumar Yadav, the state president of the Patna District Auto-E-Rickshaw Association, announced a complete shutdown of services. He called the decision unilateral and stated it threatened the livelihood of thousands while causing public hardship, vowing not to resume work until the ban was permanently withdrawn.
Faced with escalating protests and mounting public criticism, the administration was forced to backtrack by the afternoon. Officials officially postponed the implementation of the ban pending further consultations with stakeholders. Traffic DSP Anil Kumar rushed to the spot to assure drivers, leading to the resumption of services.
Official Statement and Public Reaction
Traffic SP Vaibhav Sharma confirmed that the traffic reorganisation plan, which was finalised after a high-level inspection, had been put on hold. He stated that the old traffic plan was being followed again and that a meeting with all stakeholders would be held to chalk out a new plan to decongest Station Road.
While commuters expressed relief at the swift rollback, they heavily criticised the lack of prior planning and consultation that led to the day's disruption. The incident highlighted the critical role these vehicles play in last-mile connectivity for one of the city's busiest transit hubs.
Interestingly, a few commuters saw a silver lining. Raj Kishore noted that the absence of vehicles jostling inside the station premises made it easier to manoeuvre to the portico to catch his train to Delhi.
