For smooth traffic flow, close Tonk Phatak, Imli Phatak: JDA

Jaipur: If a radical proposal from the engineers of Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) gets accepted, then the Tonk Phatak adjacent to the Tonk Road Puliya and the Imli Phatak on the Sahakar Marg should be closed for vehicular movements.
A section of engineers from the civic body had opined this development and JDA might soon forward this proposal to the North Western Railways.
“To stop vehicular movement at the Tonk Phatak, the Tonk Puliya had been constructed as a rail overbridge. Similarly, for the Imli Phatak we had constructed the JM underpass. Nowhere in the country you would see that a railway crossing is open even after construction of alternatives to bypass the crossing,” said an engineer.
Officials said when the Tonk Phatak Puliya—the oldest railway overbridge in Jaipur—was constructed, officials decided to keep the Tonk Phatak open for vehicular movement. This is because the Kishan Marg located on the Durgapura side of the puliya was narrow and was not fit to handle Barkat Nagar-bound vehicles.
“But now with JDA widening the Kishan Marg, there’s no use for the Tonk Phatak. Because of this phatak, vehicles from Rambagh and Bajaj Nagar intending to take Barkat Nagar unnecessary create jam on the Barkat Nagar side of the underpass below the Tonk Puliya. Every time the railway gates get closed, traffic comes to a standstill,” said another engineer.
Similarly at the Imli Phatak, JDA had constructed an underpass barely 100 metre away, but still vehicles are allowed to cross the Phatak.“Whenever the gates of the phatak are closed, traffic on both sides of Sahakar Marg comes to a standstill. To overcome this problem the underpass was created. Then why vehicles are still allowed at the railway crossing?” questioned an engineer.
Engineers said there are dividers at the exit and entry gates of the underpass and vehicles coming from Bais Goodam have to take a u-turn to use the underpass. It is easier for these vehicles to take a right turn at the Imli Phatak as there is no divider.