Gurgaon: The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) plans to redevelop the Bakhtawar Chowk and Mayfield Garden junctions as ‘model’ junctions. It plans to eventually redesign and redevelop all the junctions falling under its jurisdiction on the same model.
According to GMDA officials, the two junctions will be revamped keeping in mind pedestrians and cyclists. “We will be redesigning the junctions to improve the movement of traffic as well as make the junctions safer for pedestrians and the cyclists,” said a senior GMDA official. Wherever the zebra crossings aren’t visible, they will be painted afresh, he added.
The official further said the junctions will have footpaths on both sides and cycle tracks and green belts will be developed and maintained wherever required. Keeping in mind that a metro station is proposed near Bakhtawar Chowk, GMDA will design the junction to suit the movement of vehicles and pedestrians to and from the metro station as well.
TOI had earlier reported that the metropolitan authority’s mobility division has drawn up a plan for the improvement of over 140 junctions in the city. The project will include work on zebra crossings, footpaths, kerbs and signals 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.
Talking about the project, a GMDA official from the mobility wing said they have already drawn up a list of the junctions to be revamped and an estimate has been prepared. “We have prepared an estimate of around Rs 4 crore for the improvement of traffic junctions in the city. Once the funds are approved, we will be able to begin work,” the official said.
GMDA is already working on the redevelopment of two major junctions — Huda City Centre and Mahavir Chowk. Huda City Centre is being redeveloped with a unidirectional underpass, a flyover and two foot overbridges. The Mahavir Chowk project includes an underpass and a skywalk with five different entry and exit points.
Besides these junctions, GMDA also plans to redesign Kanahi Chowk and make it signal-free so that the commuters do not have to wait at the junction. 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.