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Ludhiana: Brace for snarls as Bharat Nagar Chowk to be closed again
The Ludhiana Traffic Police has issued a traffic alert urging residents to avoid the Bharat Nagar Chowk stretch and use alternative routes
City residents are set to face additional challenges during the festive season as the ongoing construction work of the elevated road at Bharat Nagar Chowk enters a crucial phase. The last leg of girder launching scheduled to begin on Wednesday will bring back significant disruptions in traffic movement.
The Ludhiana Traffic Police has issued a traffic alert urging residents to avoid the Bharat Nagar Chowk stretch and use alternative routes. The official stated that the traffic movement will remain affected for around four weeks from Wednesday.
Assistant commissioner of police (ACP, Traffic) Charanjiv Lamba stated that the company involved in construction of elevated road is planning to install a total of 18 girders at the site. With an estimated installation rate of approximately three girders per day, it is projected to take about a week to complete the installation of all 18 girders.
Following this phase, the casting work will commence, expected to last for about three to four weeks, significantly impacting traffic movement in the vicinity.
To mitigate the inconveniences caused by the construction work, the ACP said an advisory has been issued, and two traffic management plans have been formulated. The first plan allows traffic to move in both directions on the Nirankari Satsang Bhawan road during the first week, starting from Wednesday. Simultaneously, the contractor has been instructed to provide a 20-foot space adjacent to the BSNL Exchange building wall on Bharat Nagar Chowk road.
In the subsequent weeks, the second plan will be implemented, utilising the allocated 20-ft space along the BSNL Exchange wall as a service lane for traffic heading towards the Mini-Secretariat from the Bharat Nagar Chowk side.
Lamba encouraged commuters to plan their routes accordingly and cooperate with the traffic authorities to alleviate the inevitable inconveniences during this construction phase.
The stretch was closed by the authorities for three days — from September 30 to October 2. Though government offices at Mini Secretariat remained closed on the weekend and on Monday, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, following which the flow of traffic was lesser as compared to working days. Later, the closure was extended for two more days. Closure of one of the busiest crossroads of the city had paralyzed the flow of the traffic in the surrounding areas.
