Snarl-ups galore as squall hits city during rush hour

CHANDIGARH: Massive traffic jams were witnessed on roads particularly on Dakshin Marg and Madhya Marg after a squall hit the city during rush hour on Friday evening

Updated At : 07:38 AM Jun 02, 2018 IST

Commuters caught in a traffic jam at Tribune Chowk. Photo: Vicky

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 1

Massive traffic jams were witnessed on roads, particularly on Dakshin Marg and Madhya Marg, after a squall hit the city during rush hour on Friday evening.

Traffic lights were rendered non-functional due to power cut at various places, which added to the chaos. Traffic cops were conspicuous by their absence at several intersections.

Long queues of vehicles were seen on Dakshin Marg as Tribune Chowk, the GMCH roundabout and the poultry farm roundabout were clogged. Motorists going towards Zirakpur were stuck for over 25 minutes between Tribune Chowk and the poultry farm roundabout. Commuters were left to fend for themselves as there was no traffic cop on duty at the poultry farm rotary.

Traffic snarls were also witnessed on the road towards Elante Mall at Industrial Area, Phase-1. Queues of vehicles stretched up to the Centra Mall light point. Similar situation was witnessed on Madhya Marg, including Matka Chowk and the Sector 18 Press light point. The internal roads of Sectors 7, 8 and 9 saw heavy traffic as motorists took a detour to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Trees and branches that fell on the road due to the thunderstorm further restricted the traffic movement.

Manpreet Singh of Sector 15, who was stuck in traffic, said the police should have a plan ready for situations when all major city roads see snarl-ups.