Drainage construction cripples traffic on Mamura-Labour Chowk stretch in Noida

Negotiating a three-kilometre stretch between Mamura Chowk and Labour Chowk through sectors 58, and 59 and Khoda has become a task for commuters because of ongoing construction.

Negotiating a three-kilometre stretch between Mamura Chowk and Labour Chowk through sectors 58, and 59 and Khoda has become a task for commuters because of ongoing construction.

Commuters are left with a narrow passage on the Mamura-Labour Chowk stretch. (Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

The Noida authority has partially blocked the carriageway on one side for the construction of a small bridge on a drain between Mamura and Khoda. A narrow passage, with divider on one side and a trench on the other side, is left for commuters travelling towards Labour Chowk and ahead through this route.

“This is too narrow a passage and it may turn risky during rains. We are sorry to say that blocking a busy road repeatedly is a big fault on the part of the Noida authority. The authority dug up the same stretch three months ago and blocked traffic for over a month,” Sumit Saini of Khora said.

Saumya Srivastava, deputy chief executive officer said, “On the request of traffic police, a passage has been left for traffic between Mamura and Labour Chowk.”

In May, the Noida authority dug the stretch for an underground sewer line and blocked traffic.

“We requested the Noida authority to postpone the work for a month or till the rainy season is over, but they said it was urgent to construct the bridge. That is why we accepted their proposal. This route is very busy as thousands of commuters and shared autos use this way daily,” Prabal Pratap Singh, superintendent of police (SP) Noida, said.

Traffic police raised the issue of congestion during rush hours in a meeting with top administrative officials and former Noida authority chairman Pravir Kumar on July 31.

The Mamura-Labour Chowk route connects Sector 62 with Sector 12/22 and further towards Sector 15 and 16 metro stations and Delhi, via the Chilla border.

“On normal days, the traffic mess between Mamura and Labour Chowk is a big challenge for us.

Now for the next few weeks or until construction is complete and the route is free for traffic, we will have a tough time,’ Rakesh Kumar, a senior traffic constable, said .