Panel moots flyover from PGI to Sarangpur to end snarl-ups

The UT Road Safety Committee has recommended the construction of a flyover from the PGIMER till the Botanical Garden in Sarangpur to overcome frequent bottlenecks on the stretch, especially during rush hours.

The suggestion came during a recent meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav. The committee has identified five high-congestion zones in the UT, terming the Khuda Lahora road the most critical choking point.

According to the committee, the bridge road leading to Khuda Lahora and Khuda Jassu witnesses frequent traffic jams caused by pedestrians in absence of footpaths, school-related parking, encroachments and poor drainage. Auto-rickshaws stopping in the middle of the road to drop off and pick up passengers and vehicles taking U-turns at sharp cuts further hinder the flow of traffic.

To ease the congestion, the committee proposed certain measures, including the construction of a flyover from the bridge at Khuda Jassu near the PGIMER to the Botanical Garden, creation of footpaths by shifting the school boundary wall, immediate removal of encroachments, installation of five-six sets of 15mm thick rumble strips after every 50 metres and widening of the existing road to 200 ft for the traffic heading towards Mullanpur.

The other choking points in the city identified by the panel were the Housing Board light point, Kajheri Chowk, the Hallo Majra light point and Tribune Chowk.

With influx of a significant number of vehicles from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, the Housing Board chowk witnesses heavy rush at any given time. The committee recommended the construction of an underpass from Mani Majra to Panchkula, an alternative route to Panchkula from the CTU Workshop light point, heavy vehicle lane marking and new bus queue shelters.

Due to a heavy flow of vehicles on the NH-5 at Kajheri Chowk (Sector 52/53-42/43), the committee suggested the construction of an underpass near Sector 51-52/41-42, a subway on Sector 43-52 road, and redesigning slip road entries.

To ease traffic situation at the Hallo Majra light point, the committee suggested the construction of an underpass for vehicles going towards Panchkula, alternative routes to Panchkula via Daria village, and better traffic signal coordination.

For smooth flow of traffic at Tribune Chowk, the committee suggested the construction of a flyover or an underpass, reducing the size of the chowk and banning the entry of heavy vehicles.

Chandigarh