DRIVER'S NIGHTMARE: Vehicular traffic at Autonagar gate traffic circle on Wednesday morning. — PHOTO: RAJU V.

VIJAYAWADA: Calm and collected drivers have become a rare species. Those hitting the city roads drive their vehicles with a vengeance, with overtaking from the wrong side, obstructing others from passing or, worse still, indulging in slow driving or tailgating, becoming common and ending in traffic congestion.

The 80-feet Mahatma Gandhi Road, connecting the 100-ft road at Autonagar Gate, is a fine example of traffic chaos. The morning humdrum gradually builds up into a complete disharmony triggered by road-users.

RTC buses, lorries, cars, trolleys, two-wheelers, school buses, autorickshaws and cyclists jostle for space, all at a time. They scamper to escort children to school, reach office on time and bring groceries on the way home are all too evident.

Norms given go-by

Norms are thrown to the wind at this busy junction that connects the main city to its suburbs like Kanur, Poranki, Penamalur and Tadigadapa and the bustling industrial hub of Autonagar. "Rules are flouted with impunity here. My repeated pleas to autorickshaw drivers not to stop their vehicles at the curve have fallen on deaf ears," says B. Achari, throwing up his hands. The 60-year-old retired worker of the APSRTC takes pride in identifying himself as a traffic guide appointed by the corporation. But, there are no takers for his guidelines.

Driving past the designated bus stop, a few yards before the traffic junction on the MG Road, city bus drivers going into Autonagar make an `unofficial' halt at the curve where a row of autorickshaws linger waiting for commuters. Mr Achari blows the whistle, but it only brings a grin on their face. "We are used to this. He is doing his job and we are doing ours. This is a potential spot and I can't let go of my daily customers," says Saadhu, an autorickshaw driver.

RTC blamed

The traffic police attribute the anarchy to failure of the RTC to discipline their drivers. In response to their plea, RTC's regional manager M. Seetapathi instructed traffic cops posted at these junctions to book cases against the erring drivers, according to Joshi, reserve inspector (traffic).

Trucks add to problem

"Going all the way till the High School Road just for a crossover is a ridiculous thing. We cautiously drive across the road when vehicles on the other three sides come to a halt," says a driver, N. Chand Basha matter of factly. Compounding the congestion are the heavy vehicles that cannot negotiate the curves.

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