LUCKNOW, Jan. 5 -- The Lucknow police commissionerate on Sunday carried out a reshuffle in the traffic department following widespread traffic chaos across the city on New Year's Day, officials said. Five senior police officers were transferred with immediate effect, with key changes made in traffic-related postings. Police sources said the administrative move was aimed at improving traffic management and accountability after severe congestion was reported at several locations on January 1. Raghvendra Singh was shifted from ADCP (High Court Security) to ADCP (Traffic), while Ashok Kumar Singh was moved from ADCP (Traffic) to ADCP (High Court Security). At the ACP level, Shashi Prakash Mishra was posted as ACP (Traffic), replacing Surendra Kumar Sharma, who was transferred as ACP (Alambagh). Additionally, Sonya Pandey, ACP handling Women Crime, the Social Media Cell and UP-112, was given additional charge of the Cyber Cell. The reshuffle followed disciplinary action taken on Saturday against several police personnel for alleged negligence in removing roadside encroachments, which officials said played a major role in causing prolonged traffic jams, particularly in Old Lucknow. On Saturday, deputy commissioner of police (West Zone) Vishwajeet Srivastava ordered the line attachment of the in-charges of Satkhanda, Rumi Gate and Hussainabad police outposts. Similar action was taken against the outpost in-charges of River Bank Colony and the Old High Court area. All the personnel are of sub-inspector rank, and departmental proceedings have been initiated against them. Senior officials said repeated complaints and warnings regarding encroachments were ignored. "The failure to remove illegal roadside encroachments resulted in severe traffic snarls, causing major inconvenience to commuters and tourists during the New Year rush," the DCP (West) said. In addition, a detailed report recommending action against the Chowk traffic inspector has been sent to the DCP (Traffic) for further proceedings. htc...