Government Bus Breaks Down Near Gobarsahi Railway Crossing, Massive Traffic Jam Paralyzes City
Muzaffarpur: Residents of Muzaffarpur faced severe traffic congestion on Tuesday after a government bus broke down near the Gobarsahi railway crossing (Gumti), bringing traffic to a standstill across several parts of the city. The situation worsened as people had just stepped out following heavy rainfall, only to find themselves stuck in long queues of vehicles. School buses, office commuters, patients, and emergency services were among those badly affected.
According to eyewitnesses, the government bus developed a technical fault and came to a halt in the middle of the road near the Gobarsahi crossing. Since the road is relatively narrow, other large vehicles were unable to pass, leading to traffic congestion within minutes. The jam gradually spread to several major roads and intersections across the city.
Rain Followed by Heavy Traffic
Heavy rain earlier in the day had kept many residents indoors. Once the weather cleared, people headed out for work, schools, markets, and other daily activities. At the same time, the government bus broke down near Gobarsahi, creating a bottleneck on one of the city's busy routes.
As traffic volume increased, long queues of vehicles formed in areas including Gobarsahi, Akharaghat, Bhagwanpur, Zero Mile, and nearby localities. Motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, private cars, buses, and commercial vehicles moved at a snail's pace for hours.
School Buses Carrying Children Caught in the Jam
School buses were among the worst affected. Many buses carrying students remained stuck in traffic for a long time, leaving children waiting inside the vehicles. Concerned parents remained in constant touch with schools and bus operators to check on their children's safety.
Several schools reported delays in students reaching campus, while buses transporting children home after classes also arrived much later than scheduled.
Office-Goers Faced Delays
The traffic congestion also disrupted the daily commute of government and private sector employees. Many office-goers failed to reach work on time. Some attempted to take alternative routes, but these roads also became congested as more vehicles diverted to avoid the main traffic jam.
Local business owners said customer footfall in nearby markets declined due to the prolonged congestion.
Ambulances and Patients Also Affected
Eyewitnesses reported that one or two ambulances were also trapped in the traffic. Although traffic police and local residents tried to clear a path, the heavy volume of vehicles made it difficult for emergency services to move quickly.
Patients traveling to hospitals also experienced significant delays, raising concerns about emergency response during severe traffic congestion.
Traffic Restored After Bus Was Removed
After receiving information about the incident, officials from the concerned department and traffic police reached the spot. Following considerable effort, the broken-down government bus was moved to the roadside, allowing traffic to resume gradually.
However, by then thousands of commuters had already endured hours of inconvenience, and traffic remained slow on several city roads before eventually returning to normal.
Residents Question Traffic Management
The incident has once again raised concerns among local residents regarding the maintenance of government buses and the city's traffic management system. Citizens pointed out that when a large vehicle breaks down on a busy road, it can disrupt traffic across a significant portion of the city.
Many suggested that cranes and emergency mechanical response teams should be stationed at key traffic points to quickly remove disabled vehicles and minimize disruptions.
Traffic Police Appeal to Motorists
Traffic police urged commuters to remain patient during traffic jams and avoid driving in the wrong direction to bypass congestion. Officials noted that motorists attempting to use the wrong lane often worsen traffic conditions and delay the clearance process.
Police also advised people to use alternative routes whenever possible and follow traffic instructions issued by authorities.
Growing Traffic Challenge in Muzaffarpur
With the increasing number of vehicles and relatively narrow roads, traffic congestion has become a persistent problem in Muzaffarpur. Heavy rain, festivals, railway crossings, and vehicle breakdowns frequently cause severe disruptions across the city.
Urban planning experts believe that road widening, improved traffic management, smart traffic signaling systems, and rapid removal of disabled vehicles could significantly reduce congestion in the future.
Tuesday's incident near the Gobarsahi railway crossing once again highlighted the urgent need to strengthen Muzaffarpur's traffic infrastructure. Without timely improvements, traffic problems are likely to become even more severe as the number of vehicles on the city's roads continues to grow.
