News: Kanahi Chowk may be Gurugram’s first signal-free junction-12-01-2021
GURUGRAM: GMDA has decided to redesign Kanahi Chowk and make it signal-free. Officials said that once completed, Kanahi Chowk would be the first signal-free junction in the city.
As of now, commuters coming from all three sides have to wait at the signal to cross the junction. “We conducted a survey and realised that we do not need a signal at the junction. So, we are working to make it signal-free,” said Maqsood Ahmed, CEO (mobility) at GMDA.
Not just at the intersection, commuters have to face two more signals within 200 metres of each other, which slows down movement of traffic.
In order to resolve the issue, the metropolitan authority has decided that a roundabout will be constructed at the junction and people coming from all three sides will be able to cross the junction without stopping at the signal.
Apart from the roundabout, the service lanes will also be redesigned wherever required. “We will revive the green belt as well and have dedicated pedestrian crossings and a lane for cyclists,” said Ahmed. As of now, GMDA has drafted a proposal and will soon roll out tenders.
Most of the junctions in the city are not properly designed and lead to snarls. TOI had earlier reported that GMDA had prepared a plan for tweaking more than 140 junctions in the city. The project will see work on improvement of zebra crossings, footpaths, kerbs and traffic movements as required on a case to case basis. Since most junctions in the city are not properly planned, they not just cause traffic snarls but also pose risks to commuters’ safety.
Asked about the project, a GMDA official from the mobility wing said they had already drawn up the list of junctions where work would be done and an estimate had been prepared. “We have prepared an estimate of around Rs 4 crore for work on improving mobility through the intersections. Once the funds are approved, we will be begin work,” said the official.
