Nagpur.
Taking a serious note of haphazard and life-threatening traffic prevailing at Jai Stambh Square near Railway Station, a delegation of Vidarbha Taxpayers’ Association (VTA) led by its President J P Sharma, met Bharat Tangde, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Traffic to highlight the disorder and finding solutions to it.
Sharma said the VTA is constantly pursuing early completion of Ram Jhula Phase II, simultaneously working on easy traffic flow on both its ends. He apprised the DCP that irrespective of crores of taxpayers’ money spent on phase I of Ram Jhula the ease it should have provided is far away because of short-sighted planning of Jai Stambh Square. The entire traffic congestion has now shifted on this square and during peak hours even traffic cops fail to handle the jamming.
Tejinder Singh Renu, Secretary of VTA brought to the knowledge of the DCP the proposal submitted by VTA in January 2015 to Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Mayor Pravin Datke, NIT Chairman Shyam Wardhane and NMC Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, wherein VTA had proposed that Phase-II flyover of Ram Jhula project should start from Mayo Hospital Square i.e. similar place from where already constructed Phase-I starts (east side). However, instead of landing at Jai Stambh Square, it should be extended and should land on Kingsway i.e. in front of SBI or BOI Main Branch. In this manner traffic coming from West Nagpur & approaching East (Central Avenue) will directly take flyover, thereby avoiding Jai Stambh. A side road can be used for those approaching Railway Station from the West.
Renu said that VTA is constantly following this matter in High Court, wherein the court has directed last chance to Railways to file their affidavit. He also highlighted the issue of six-seater autos causing lot of hindrance in traffic movement as they drive haphazardly causing inconvenience to road users. Most irritating part of these autowalas is that many times they park in the middle of the road to cater service to pedestrians and take sharp turns blindly. Many accidents happen due to their unethical driving senses and it is high time that their entry on few important roads be immediately restricted.
The DCP Traffic appreciated the VTA proposal which will also take care of future needs and lauded the efforts of VTA for taking such issue in public interest. He however said that till Phase II is constructed, some changes are needed to streamline traffic, wherein traffic department has proposed flyover in front of Railway Station to be made one-way, likewise traffic from West to East will not be permitted to take right turn towards railway station, due to which uninterrupted traffic can follow comfortably.
VTA appreciated the proposal as with limited scope of options, this proposal by traffic department is going to help lot to commuters, although initially it may cause inconvenience to few commuters. But within few days all will cease the situation and by doing so even East entrance of railway station will be fully utilized, easing passengers traffic on main station building.
Others members of VTA delegation who were present on the occasion include Hemant Trivedi, Rajesh Kanoongo and Amarjeet Singh Chawla.
