Chozuba introduces ‘odd-even’ traffic rule, issues revised directives

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 27 (EMN): After Kohima and Dimapur, Chozuba on Monday implemented odd-even traffic regulation to minimise non-essential movements of vehicles. The order comes into effect on July 28 until further notice.

The additional deputy commissioner of Chozuba, under Phek district, Theodore Yanthan, in an order on July 27, stated that the new traffic rule was initiated in the “in the interest of the safety and security of the public and in order to minimise non-essential movement of the vehicles”.

He informed that the order will apply in areas covering the NH-702 B passing through Chozuba Sub-Division and within the whole town area.

On odd number days — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday — vehicles with registration number ending with odd numbers — 1,3,5,7 and 9 — will be allowed to ply.

While on even number days — Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday — vehicles with registration number ending with even numbers — 2,4,6,8 and 0 — will be allowed to ply, ADC informed.

Even goods-carrying vehicles will follow the odd-event number traffic regulations, he said, adding that ‘unregistered vehicles will not be allowed to ply’.

However, this prohibition will not apply to those vehicles exempted through various government notifications that are currently in force in the state and Chozuba Sub-Division, he stated.

Appealing to all citizens to abide by the order, the ADC said that violators will be liable to be penalised under section 177 and 179 of the MV Act, 1988.

In a separate order, the ADC stated that all vehicular movement of non-essential nature is prohibited. Further, no private vehicular movement will be allowed except for purchase of essential commodities and medical emergencies as per the odd-even number days.

Inter-district movement of commercial passenger vehicles will remain barred except vehicles carrying goods, it added.

It has been observed that there is an increasing number of inter-district movements by the public despite the continued prohibition of such movements by the state government. Therefore, the ADC has appealed to the public to refrain from unnecessary movement except for medical reasons, urgent essential works, unavoidable reasons as permitted by the state government.

In a partial modification to the previous order and in an attempt to contain the spread of Covid-19, Yanthan has issued further directives for compliance:

• All banks and ATMs should be closed by 12:00 noon.
• All the shops/outlets dealing with the food grains, vegetables, food items and other essential commodities except pharmacies and petrol pumps are to keep their shops open from 8 am to 12 noon.
• Pharmacies and petrol pumps may continue to remain open as normal.
• Public can do their shopping during the shops opening time.
• All hair cutting saloons, hotels, eateries are directed to remain shut.
• Wearing of face mandatory in all public places.

The order also directed that queue with minimum distance of six ft. should be maintained during purchase of essential commodities and steps to be taken to avoid close contact. Movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities, will remain strictly prohibited between 5 pm and 6 am, the order added.

Further, persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years are to stay at home except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes as per the national directives, it directed.

Those found violating the advisory will be punishable under relevant section of the Indian Penal Code 1860 and Essential Commodities Act 1955, it added.