Sajahan Selim Quereshi, Rangapara: Rangapara town in Sonitpur district, popularly known as the rail city, is grappling with worsening traffic congestion that has made daily commuting extremely difficult. The problem has become particularly acute along Gopinath Bordoloi Road and Mahatma Gandhi Road, where traffic jams have turned into a routine ordeal for residents. Encroachment of footpaths, the rising number of private vehicles, illegal parking, reckless driving, and the increasing presence of e-rickshaws have all compounded the situation. Adding to the chaos is the daytime movement of dumpers and tractors carrying sand and gravel, which not only disrupt traffic flow but also increase the risk of accidents. Citizens allege that many e-rickshaw and tractor drivers operate without following safety rules. Alarmingly, passenger e-rickshaws are being used to transport bricks, iron rods, and other goods. At night, most e-rickshaws fail to use low-beam headlights, causing inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists alike. Sudden U-turns without indicators and the presence of underage drivers have further raised public concern, with locals describing it as a recipe for disaster. Residents have urged authorities to take immediate steps to regulate e-rickshaw operations, make registration mandatory, verify drivers’ qualifications, and strictly enforce traffic rules. They stressed the need for a well-organised transport system supported by effective policing to restore order on the town’s roads. Conscious citizens also warned that with Rangapara’s growing population and vehicle numbers, the traffic situation could spiral into a more dangerous crisis in the near future. They expressed disappointment that despite the presence of key administrative offices—the Sub-Divisional Commissioner, the Sub-Divisional Police Commissioner, and the Municipal Executive Officer—the administration’s lack of seriousness has allowed the problem to grow unchecked.
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