Absence of traffic signals leads to chaos at canal bridge intersection in Ludhiana

Crossing the canal bridge intersection on Pakhowal Road has become a nightmare for commuters. Motorists are not only troubled by the recurrent traffic jams at the intersection but also susceptible to mishaps. Reason, the absence of traffic lights at the intersection.

Residents had raised the issue before the authorities concerned demanding urgent installation of traffic lights, but to no avail. Earlier, traffic lights were installed at the intersection, but during the construction of Southern Bypass, these were removed. The same were not later installed despite the completion of the bypass project.

Upendra Sharma, a resident of Punjab Mata Nagar, who is a retired bank manager and also an advisor to the Punjab Mata Nagar Welfare Association, said he had been raising the issue for long, but authorities are seemingly in deep slumber. “In the absence of traffic lights, traffic chaos is a regular problem at this intersection. Minor mishaps also take place at this point because motorists cross the intersection on their own will. Two-wheeler riders face more problem as they are more prone to road mishap here. I request the Municipal Corporation to install traffic lights here as soon as possible,” added Sharma.

He highlighted that when commuters from the Jawaddi side take a turn towards the railway underbridge (RUB) leading toward Sarabha Nagar and railway overbridge (ROB) on Pakhowal Road, they face the risk of mishaps. If traffic lights would have been installed here, the risk would be much lesser, said Sharma.

Another resident of Pakhowal Road, Sanjiv Arora, said the civic body officials are very much aware about the issue but they are least bothered to provide any solution.

Despite lights were being installed in the city under the adaptive traffic control system project, the canal bridge intersection has not been included in the list, he added.

“There is an urgent need to install traffic lights at the canal bridge intersection. Though a traffic cop remains present at the intersection to manage the traffic movement, if traffic lights can be installed that would act as a permanent solution to the problem, ”added Arora.

Removed during bypass construction, not installed later

Earlier, traffic lights were installed at the intersection but during the construction of Southern Bypass, these were removed. The same were not later installed despite the completion of the bypass project. Sanjiv Arora, a resident of Pakhowal Road, said the civic body officials are much aware about the issue but they are least bothered to provide a solution. Despite lights are being installed in the city under the adaptive traffic control system project, the canal bridge intersection has not been included in the list, he added.