Gautam Budh Nagar magistrate submits 14-point plan to decongest Noida

Removal of encroachment from roads, footpaths and other public spaces, keeping a check on misuse of parking space in a building and illegal parking, these are among the suggestions made by DM BN Singh

Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate BN Singh has, through a letter to Noida authority chief executive officer Alok Tandon, suggested ways to streamline traffic across the city. He submitted a 14-point plan in his letter.

The Master Plan-I, II, III, Dadri-Surajpur-Chhalera raod, road no.6 and internal roads in many sectors witness jams every day. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

On February 17, the DM wrote to the Noida authority CEO requesting for coordinated action against those who violate traffic rules thereby causing jams across the city.

The district magistrate’s suggestions aim to smoothen movement of motorists on city roads, which remain congested. The condition goes from bad to worse during peak hours in the morning and evening. Motorists, particularly office-goers, have repeatedly complained of bad traffic management on roads and resulting congestion.

“If we want to improve traffic management on roads and ensure disciplined vehicular movement then we will have to work together and act against violations in more effective manner,” said BN Singh DM, Gautam Budh Nagar.

The district magistrate has suggested that there should be a separate department within the Noida authority to deal with parking.

“The parking fee on roads outside the Sector 18 multilevel car parking facility should be much higher to discourage parking on roads. Illegal parking on roads causes traffic jam in many areas. Therefore, the authority must discourage parking on roads,” Singh said.

DM also suggested that a core committee should be formed for better coordination on traffic issues.

Removal of encroachment on roadsides, footpath and other public spaces, authority should not allow misuse of space meant for parking in a building and illegal parking should be strictly prohibited, these are among the several suggestions made by the DM.

The Master Plan-I, II, III, Dadri-Surajpur-Chhalera raod, road no.6 and internal roads in many sectors witness jams every day. Traffic intersections, such as Model Town underpass, City Center, Sector 18 Metro station, roads outside Sector 18 commercial hub and Atta Chowk among others, stay congested because footpaths and other public spaces are occupied by vendors.

“One of the biggest causes of traffic jam and congestion during peak hours are unruly autorickshaw drivers, who halt right in the middle of the road to allow passengers to board or deboard the vehicle. The traffic police do not act against such drivers. I fail to understand why the officials do not enforce traffic rules,” Amit Gupta, a traffic volunteer and resident of Sector 77, said.

The 14 suggestions

Core committee formation for coordination on traffic issues

Removal of encroachment on roadsides, footpath and other public spaces

Parking fee should be much higher on roads outside the multilevel car parking in Sector 18

Authority should not allow misuse of space meant for parking in a building

Illegal parking should be strictly prohibited

Separate wing within Noida authority to deal with parking issues

Traffic consultant for city

Zero tolerance for traffic violations

Help should be sought from IT firms to manage traffic

Public private partnership to improve traffic management

Encourage public transport system

Traffic police and others should be trained in Delhi

Training center for Noida and Greater Noida traffic staff

High penalty for traffic violations