Rajiv Chowk underpass open, but missing signage may lead to chaos
The road in front of PWD Rest House and police headquarters is likely to become a new bottleneck point as traffic coming from Sohna Road would hit this narrow road after crossing Rajiv Chowk underpass
The opening of the underpass at the busy Rajiv Chowk is set to bring relief to commuters headed towards the police headquarters and Delhi from the Sohna Road, and vice versa, but the absence of signboards is likely to create a problem.
Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the underpasses at the Rajiv Chowk and the Signature Tower on Monday.
Also, a bottleneck is likely to happen on the road in front of newly opened PWD Rest House and police headquarters as traffic coming from Sohna Road would cross Rajiv Chowk underpass will hit this narrow road.
The city police and the officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are likely to hold a meeting in this regard to sort out the micro issues to help improve traffic management at Rajiv Chowk.
“There should be signboards at the entry point of Rajiv Chowk underpass on the Sohna Road side as well as on the opposite side directing motorists towards Delhi and elsewhere. I was coming from Vatika Chowk side and wanted to go to Delhi. I got confused when as I reached the underpass. After entering the underpass, I asked a person for directions to Delhi and he advised me to keep on the surface road and use the rotary at Rajiv Chowk instead of underpass,” Vackul Kaushik, resident of Vatika City, said.
Surender Singh, resident Shanti Nagar, said, “These underpasses have, however, resolved a long-standing traffic problem. A lot of time was wasted until now in crossing the highway. That will, hopefully, end now.”
Similarly, a signage is needed on the other side of Rajiv Chowk underpass as well.
There are four non-motorised transport lanes for cyclists and pedestrians with a free left to keep them away from the main traffic flow at Rajiv Chowk. Besides that, surface rotary at Rajiv Chowk will still be used by traffic from multi-directions.
To alert commuters of all these different options and routes, signboards are a must and they need to be placed at the earliest to avoid confusion and ensure better traffic management.
Ashok Kumar Sharma, general manager (technical), NHAI Gurgaon, said, “We have hired a consultant for a safety audit for the purpose of placing signboards. The consultant is likely to submit the report by Friday. Signage, streetlights and other vital utilities will be placed once we get the report.”
