Project hits road bump, MC to now rope in traffic expert

Ludhiana: Without hiring a traffic expert, the municipal corporation prepared a comprehensive road safety project for the industrial town under the Smart City mission. But with cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu raising objections to it, the MC officials are likely to rope in a traffic expert. The project aims at installing road safety equipment and making road markings in the entire city.
The officials have prepared a detailed report of the project, whose estimated cost is around Rs 26 crore. Even as the civic body funds road marking, blinker and cat’s eye, among others, work, the project was taken up under the Smart City mission almost a year ago due to paucity of resources.
The roads which will be covered include Rahon Road, 70 Feet Road in Sunder Nagar, Benjamin Road, RK Road, Gill Road, Hambran Road, Haibowal Road, Dugri Road, Old Krishna Mandir Road, Ghumar Mandi Road, BRS Nagar Road, Circuit House Road, among others.
Zebra crossings and other road markings at main roads have almost vanished. As a result, commuters face a tough time while driving on such roads, especially during foggy conditions. Even at major chowks that witness high vehicular movement, like Bharat Nagar Chowk, Bhai Bala Chowk, Durga Mata Mandir Chowk, the road markings are fading.
Usually, whenever road markings are made or speed-breakers installed in the city, hardly a thought is spared towards their requirement. Speed-breakers are constructed anywhere without caring for the rules, increasing risk of accidents.
Ashu said, “Only a traffic expert can suggest where road safety equipment are required as MC officials do not have technical know-how about the same. I have asked the officials to take help from traffic experts, so that the money spent on the project does not go down the drain.”
Superintending engineer of building and road branch and Smart City mission Rahul Gagneja said, “At the execution stage of the project, we will seek assistance of a traffic consultant.”
Review meeting
A review meeting of Smart City projects took place at MC Zone D office on Friday. MC commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal reviewed the progress of the ongoing projects. The officials have been asked to stick to deadlines and wind up the projects by year-end.