Soreng District Initiates Coordinated Action Plan for Traffic, Road Safety, and Infrastructure Management

Soreng, April 22 (IPR): A joint meeting of the District Level Decongestion, Road Infrastructure and Road Safety Committee was convened today at the office of the District Collector and Chairperson, Mr Dhiraj Subedi, at the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Soreng, to deliberate on issues concerning traffic decongestion, road safety, and road infrastructure management in Soreng District, particularly within Soreng Nagar Panchayat.

The meeting commenced with opening remarks by the Chair, who highlighted the gradual strain on existing road infrastructure, which has contributed to increasing parking challenges and traffic congestion in and around Soreng town. The transition of the area into a semi-urban Nagar Panchayat was also noted, necessitating structured planning and coordinated interventions.

A detailed assessment of traffic congestion was undertaken, with emphasis on decongesting major approach roads leading into Soreng town. It was discussed that this would involve systematic assessment of households' encroachment upon road reserves, while also ensuring that carriageways are kept clear for smooth vehicular movement. The need to identify specific congestion points for targeted and workable action was also highlighted. In this regard, it was decided that a comprehensive survey would be conducted on 5th May for identification of affected areas and formulation of suitable short-term and long-term remedial measures. The District Collector mentioned that the survey would be conducted by a team comprising the ADC, ASP, ADC (Development), DFO, SE (Roads), Deputy RTO, and Bazar Officer (UDD), along with participation of the Nagar Panchayat members.

Further, it was deliberated that, if required for the purpose of effective decongestion and ensuring smooth traffic movement, the provision and submission of building blueprints to the Urban Development Department may be considered as a regulatory measure. This would facilitate better planning and enable the public to comply with prescribed building norms and regulations.

The meeting discussed decongestion strategies including both immediate and long-term measures. Short-term interventions such as traffic regulation, road markings, and enforcement of no-parking zones were emphasised, with road markings identified as a crucial immediate step. Long-term strategies included road widening and planning for designated parking zones. It was also discussed that both short-term and long-term parking management plans would be implemented, including the identification of authorised and unauthorised parking spaces and the proposal of dedicated long-term parking zones.

For public transport and mobility improvement, SP Mr Nahkul Pradhan informed that regulatory measures are being undertaken, including restriction of heavy vehicle movement during working days between 9 AM and 11 AM to ease congestion. The importance of maintaining traffic discipline among the public was also reiterated.

Road safety was comprehensively reviewed, with a coordinated approach among all concerned departments emphasised. Requirements for essential road safety equipment were identified and noted for installation. The meeting also emphasised the importance of maintaining proper drainage systems, particularly following construction activities, to prevent waterlogging and ensure safety during the upcoming monsoon season. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding pipelines laid through drainage channels, which cause blockages and lead to flooding of roads.

Issues related to construction materials being left along roadsides were also discussed, as these pose risks to both traffic flow and safety. The Police Department informed that such issues are being addressed through regular beat and mobile patrolling.

In terms of infrastructure, the current condition of roads and associated challenges such as drainage and maintenance were discussed. Greater coordination among departments was emphasised to ensure sustainable road infrastructure development for smooth traffic flow and road safety.

The meeting also reviewed the use of technology in traffic management, noting that 23 CCTV cameras are currently operational within the area, contributing to monitoring and enforcement efforts.

Public awareness and community participation were identified as critical components in addressing congestion. The need for behavioural change, including sensitising nearby residents to opt for walking for short-distance errands on busy days, such as grocery shopping when possible, was highlighted as a practical step towards reducing traffic jams.

Representatives from the Soreng Taxi Drivers Association, present in the meeting, shared their grievances and provided valuable feedback, which were acknowledged for consideration in future decisions and implementation.

The meeting concluded with a roadmap for the next course of action, wherein the completion of the scheduled survey would inform both immediate and long-term interventions for effective traffic management and road safety in the district.

Present in the meeting were SP Mr Nahkul Pradhan, ADC Mr DR Bista, SDPO Mr Chewang D Bhutia, CMO Dr Smriti Rai, SE (R&B) Mr Tara Subba, DE (R&B) Mr Nayan Baraily, DFO (T) Ms Peggyla Venchungpa, DPO (Zilla) Mr Kumar Subba, DD (Education) Mr Chewang T Sherpa, Dy. RTO Mr Basant K Chettri, RO/AD (LRDM) Mr LN Tiwari, AE (R&B) Mr Sudeep Tamang, MVI Mr Sachin Chettri, Inspector (UDD) Ms Prerna Subba, ASI (UDD) Mr Gaurav Subba, along with representatives from the Soreng Taxi Drivers Association.