Lucknow: The city will upgrade its traffic infrastructure soon to improve road safety and easing congestion. As part of the move, six major intersections will feature free left-turn lanes and nine high-risk roads will undergo safety enhancement. Following a proposal to this effect by the divisional commissioner, the Public Works Department (PWD) has surveyed key problem areas and is actively working on the project.
Executive engineer of the provincial division of the PWD Satyendra Nath revealed that intersections notorious for traffic jams have been identified to introduce free left turns, allowing vehicles to turn left without waiting for the traffic signal. This initiative is expected to provide 50% to 60% traffic load relief. The intersections slated for this free left turn include the area near Husadiya underpass, in between Park Road and Sapru Marg in Hazratganj, Kathuta Road at Chinhat Square, the route towards Shaheed Path from Ahimamau Square as well as Samtamulk and Avadh Square. After two months of detailed assessments, these locations were finalised for the intervention.
In addition to free left-turn lanes, safety measures will be carried out on nine critical roads to eliminate accident-prone zones or ‘black spots'. The identified stretches include the route from Indira Gandhi Pratishthan to the ministers' residence, Ayodhya Road near Adarsh Dham, the road from Hazratganj Intersection to Charbagh Railway Station, footpaths along Kalidas Marg, the stretch from Kalidas crossing to 1090 Crossing, the route from Lohia Path to Indira Gandhi Pratishthan and the stretch from polytechnic to Lohia Path extending to Hazratganj. Additionally, two specific spots along Shaheed Path are set to receive upgrades.
Nath said that the tendering process for the project is already underway with bids expected to open soon. The entire initiative is planned to be completed within three months, with an estimated budget of Rs 1.75 crore. "Once implemented, the addition of free left-turn lanes and safety measures will significantly alleviate traffic issues and enhance road conditions for thousands of daily commuters in Lucknow," he added.