JAIPUR: Even as the acquisition of land for the Ring Road cloverleaf on Jaipur-Agra National Highway remains in abeyance, Union minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone of similar structures on the other two highways (Ajmer Road and Tonk Road) on Thursday.
With this, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will construct long- pending cloverleaf structure at Tonk Road (NH-52) covering the area of Prahladpura, Ajayrajpura and Hema Ki Nagal. Similarly, at Ajmer Road (NH-48), the intersection structure will be constructed at Bhankarota and Hasmapura Bas Bhankarota. The estimated cost to construct these structures of total length 6.719 km will Rs 155.73 crore.
Times View
Delay in construction of the Ring Road's cloverleaf is leading to traffic snarls on Jaipur-Ajmer and Jaipur-Tonk NHs. Despite crores of rupees being spent, the project remains unutilised. The incomplete structure poses serious accident threats to commuters. The state government must come up with an alternative plan for smooth traffic flow besides reducing accident risks.
An official said, at Tonk Road, the loop length of the structure will be 2.089 km and ramp length will be 2 km. At Ajmer Road, loop length will be 1.965 km. “The tender for the same have be invited after receiving the land from the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA). The work will be started from December,” said the official.
As construction of these structures was taking time even after one-and-a-half years project was inaugurated, the transport corridor of the 47-km southern Ring Road, which connects Ajmer Road, Tonk Road and Agra Road, was made operational after making temporarily arrangements in November. On Ajmer Road, which is busiest highway comparatively to Agra Road and Tonk Road, the NHAI has decided to close a road cut on divider at Mahapura junction to avoid merging of urban traffic with highway traffic (Ring Road traffic).
A senior engineer of JDA said, “To avoid traffic conflict coming from Mahapura-end and Ring Road (Tonk Road end), the NHAI will close the existing road cut in front Kanchan Kesari. Once it is closed, traffic coming from Mahapura will have to take a left turn (towards Ajmer). After 500 metres, a new road cut will be opened.”
He added, “If a vehicle coming towards Jaipur from Ajmer-end wants to travel on Ring Road, a road cut on divider ahead of DPS school will be opened. The driver will have to take a U-turn and take the slip lane, which is connected with the Ring Road.” However, commuter’s complaint, heavy traffic taking a U-turn from DPS school to reach ring road has resulted incessant jam on the road. Moreover, possibilities of accident have also cropped up in the area.”
“We have called a joint of various departments including traffic, JDA and NHAI to resolve the traffic issued faced on ground. The corrective steps on the road will be taken soon,” said a NHAI official.