Officials to decongest major junctions in Ghaziabad

On Friday, the DM had directed officials to clear encroachments from intersections within a fortnight and streamline movement at 10 major intersections — Raj Nagar Extension, Mohan Nagar, UP Gate, Hapur crossing, Masuri crossing, Loni crossing, Vasundhara crossing, Sahibabad crossing, Hapur Chungi and Raj Chopla (in Modi Nagar).

Officials from the public works department, municipal corporation, traffic police and the development authority inspected the Raj Nagar Extension crossing and drew up a plan to decongest the junction, following orders from the district magistrate (DM).

The transport department, in a drive, penalised 497 auto drivers who were parking their vehicles on roads, thereby adding to traffic congestion. (Ameeruddin/HT Photo)

On Friday, the DM had directed officials to clear encroachments from intersections within a fortnight and streamline movement at 10 major intersections — Raj Nagar Extension, Mohan Nagar, UP Gate, Hapur crossing, Masuri crossing, Loni crossing, Vasundhara crossing, Sahibabad crossing, Hapur Chungi and Raj Chopla (in Modi Nagar).

“In a 50-metre radius (of the Raj Nagar Extension crossing), there are trees, unipoles, defunct traffic signals and other encroachments that will be removed soon. The Zebra crossing, stop lines and dividers will be revamped and repainted. Any encroachment in the form of construction will also be removed and left turns made free under the plan,” Rajesh Kumar, superintendent of police (traffic), said.

“Apart from redeveloping the crossings, officials have also been directed to clear encroachments, such as illegal hoardings and unipoles, on major highways — NH-24, erstwhile NH-58 and GT Road. The crossings will be covered with greenery and all defunct signals and faded zebra lines, revamped. The DM also directed us to put up boards, on specific stretches, with the name and mobile number of officials concerned responsible for maintaining the stretches,” Kumar said.

Also, another major cause of traffic snarls is under-construction projects such as the elevated road and metro, which have hampered traffic movement on GT Road and Vasundhara canal road. The two roads also lead to NH-24, which is a frequently used road for daily commuters from Indirapuram, Vaishali, Vasundhara, besides those commuting long distances.