Stay away from Ghaziabad’s roads if you want to remain in one piece

Death traps. These two words are enough to describe Ghaziabad's roads.The figures speak for themselves. 245 people have been killed and another 412 injured till August as per police records, reports Peeyush Khandelwal.

Death traps. These two words are enough to describe Ghaziabad's roads.The figures speak for themselves. 245 people have been killed and another 412 injured till August as per police records.

HT Image

Taking a serious note of the worsening traffic condition, the traffic police have now identified 10 critical points and have decided to chalk out a plan to manage unruly traffic.

There are problems galore — few traffic signals, non-availability of towing vans, shortage of traffic police personnel, absence of lane driving, etc.

The absence of streamlined and regulated vehicular traffic and non law-abiding drivers has wreaked played havoc on the lives of commuters.

"We are trying to regulate traffic on these identified points to reduce accidents," SP (Traffic) Anil Kumar said.

Kumar said illegal hoardings on roads, delay of flyover projects, absence of service lanes, faulty road design, blind curves, etc, have worsened the situation.

These are just recorded cases. There are many accidents that go unnoticed daily.

"Many cases go unreported. Major roads like NH-24, NH-58, Link-Road, GT Road always remain congested," said Kuldeep Saxena of Indirapuram residents' welfare association (RWA). "Heavy vehicles get diverted through residential areas like Indirapuram and delta colonies. Immediate repair of roads is a priority."

There are only 36 traffic signals and there is a proposal to build 12 more. Absence of foot overbridges has also resulted in a number of pedestrian fatalities.

"As you enter Ghaziabad's borders, the traffic becomes unmanageable and drivers throw caution to the wind. Accidents are bound to happen. Rash driving and unauthorised cuts result accidents. Driving without helmets is a common sight," said S.K. Maheshwari from Suryanagar RWA.

The absence of proper underpass on NH-24 near the Indirapuram-Noida crossing has resulted in many accidents. Congested crossings like Mohan Nagar, Anwarpur Cut on NH-24, Nizampur crossing on NH-24, Raj Chopla and Muradnagar areas on NH-58 have witnessed a number of fatalities.

"The problems are varied. There is an immediate need to crack down on encroachment, illegal hoardings and unauthorised cuts. We are trying to regulate the traffic conditions with the resources available and regular traffic drives," Kumar said.