Traffic curbs play spoilsport

Vijayawada: Pilgrims , who travelled by RTC buses to reach Pushkar Ghats, faced difficulty on Friday, the first day of Krishna Pushkaralu due to prolonged travelling time.

The RTC has operated more than 300 buses for Krishna Pushkaralu for the convenience of pilgrims. However, due to traffic restrictions imposed by police, the RTC drivers were forced to ply buses towards Milk Project route from Eluru road and Bandar road. Traffic was diverted from Challapalli Bungalow towards Kedareswaripet and Ajit Singh Nagar since morning.

Vehicles were not allowed at the Low Bridge route which connects old and new cities. Important bathing ghats like Durga Ghat, Punnami Ghat and Pavitra Sangamam Ghat are located upstream of Prakasam Barrage. Police diverted the traffic in different parts of the city since morning.

Unaware of these restrictions, pilgrims came to Vijayawada from other parts of the State only to face trouble. Several buses and other vehicles got struck on Errakatta, Ajit Singh Nagar, Eluru Locks junction, Challapalli Bungalow road, Chitti Nagar junction, Kedareswarapet and other parts of the city due to restrictions.

Thousands of pilgrims travelling in the RTC buses waited two to three hours to reach bathing ghats. Moreover, many buses were seen without passengers as pilgrims refused to board the special buses.

Police, who came from other districts for Pushkaralu duty, also behaved rudely with the pilgrims, when they tried to cross the barricades to reach bathing ghats.Flyover connecting bathing ghats near Prakasam Barrage and Police Control Room were also closed for vehicles as well as pedestrians.