Road-users are facing severe hardships in crossing important junctions due to traffic bottlenecks in Puducherry. 

The situation has worsened in recent days around Rajiv Gandhi Square, Indira Gandhi Square and Latha Steel Junction. Several traffic choke points have also emerged on Puducherry- Cuddalore Road in the recent times due to heavy traffic flow and existing limited carrying capacity of stretch, locals said. 

The Kamaraj Salai stretch near the Rajiv Gandhi square has in the recent days become a nightmare for commuters. Crossing the junction from the point near Anandaranga Pillai Nagar on Kamaraj Salai to Rajiv Gandhi Square takes a minimum of 20 minutes during evening time. The traffic situation has become more or less similar at Latha Steel junction on ECR.

“Recently, traffic block in the area lasted for more than 20 minutes and the entire area was chock-a-block with vehicles. Traffic police personnel had been posted to regulate vehicle movement, but the rush was so heavy that they could not do much. We had to take the Gnanaprakasam Nagar route to reach ECR,” said a resident of Lawspet.

The police said around 54 traffic personnel were deployed during weekends in the town and during peak hours 10 additional personnel were deployed on duty. The number of personnel deployed goes up to 74 on weekends in the town. However, the flow of vehicles was such that regulating vehicular movement with deployment of manpower alone has become inadequate.

“Apart from increase in the number of vehicles and existing condition of roads, what contributes to the traffic problem is haphazard parking of two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Visitors who are unfamiliar with local roads, one-way system and parking regulations add to the problem of traffic congestion. There is urgent need to improve traffic signals and road condition. We have made a few recommendations to the Public Works Department for road improvement after conducting a study,” the police said.

Report submitted 

In order to address traffic congestion in the town and adjoining areas, the Traffic Police in collaboration with Arcadis, a Bengaluru-based consultancy firm, very recently conducted an analysis of traffic flow, junction performance evaluation, pedestrian movement assessment, parking pattern studies and identification of infrastructure deficiencies affecting traffic operations and road safety, the officer said.

Based on the study, the Traffic Police have submitted recommendations to carry out road improvement works at Rajiv Gandhi Square, Indira Gandhi square, Ajantha Signal Junction, Sonampalayam, Pattanikadai Junction, Gundusalai Road Junction, Kokku Park Signal, Ariyankuppam junction, Murungapakkam Junction, Thavalakuppam junction and Marappalam.

Secretary, Public Works Department, A. Muthamma, told The Hindu that a report has been submitted by the Traffic Police for taking up road improvement works. “We are considering the recommendations made by the police for road engineering. The department will soon convene a meeting to discuss the subject,” she said.

Agreement signed

As far the grade separator connecting Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi squares is concerned, she said a tripartite agreement was signed on June 19 between the Union Ministry of Road Transport, PWD and M/S T and T Infra Limited in JV with M/S Dhariwal Buildtech Limited, the firm selected for executing the work. The agreement was signed after the firm was awarded the project in May, she said.

“The work will commence in two months after soil test and other formalities are completed. Once the grade separator project gets realised, the two signals will be free of traffic congestion,” she said.