Movement of tractor-trailers to be curbed during peak hours in Baddi

In a bid to curb the movement of heavy vehicles during the peak hours, the Baddi administration has decided to restrict movement of tractor-trailers.

Such bulky commercial vehicles move slowly on roads of this industrial cluster and obstruct the smooth flow of traffic. Tractor-trailers would not be allowed to ply from 9 am to 10.30 am and from 4.30 pm to 6 pm as per the decision taken at a meeting chaired by Doon MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary last evening in Baddi.

Though tractor-trailers are particularly used for agricultural activities, majority of such vehicles can be seen carrying quarry material in this belt. Many tractor-trailers do not have registration number to avoid being caught by the police as these cannot be used as commercial vehicles.

The government on the other hand extends a subsidy of Rs 3 lakh to buyers of tractor-trailers for their use in agricultural activities. The traffic in Baddi has become a bane for the common man. Ambulances carrying critically ill patients often get stuck in long traffic jams. MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary was apprised of all such issues by officials present at the meeting.

In a recent case a fire-tender, heading towards an industrial unit at Thana village to douse fire, was stuck in the traffic for almost half-an- hour. A worker lost his life in the mishap. Had water not been provided by a neighbouring industrial unit the number of casualties in the incident would have been much higher.

Slew of measures were proposed at the meeting to decongest roads in Baddi. This includes removing encroachments on the Baddi-Sai road which is the town’s commercial hub. A sizable portion of the road has been encroached by street vendors.

With a few parking spaces available, drivers often park trucks on roads. It was decided at the meeting to discontinue this practice as trucks parked on roads obstructed the movement of vehicles. Particular attention would be paid to the road near gas plant.

The road heading from Jharmajri to Alembic Chowk would remain closed according to the timing of schools as it has been identified as a black spot. Accidents often happen on this stretch. The police would be instructed to regulate the movement of traffic when children enter and leave schools, officials said.

SDM Vivek Mahajan said a key decision to create a junction at Dawat Chowk, Laj Dharamkanta and Amarawati Chowk, Phase III, was also taken for better regulation of the traffic.

Dividers would be erected on the Sai road heading from the State Bank of India as vehicles take a dangerous U-turn from the spot which creates traffic snarls.

With the police having failed to come up with an effective traffic management plan, this joint exercise of the local administration comprising the SDM, policemen, tehsildar and staff of the municipal council could make some difference in the prevailing traffic chaos.