This story is from May 3, 2016

Traffic clogged as new lights go on the blink

Installation of new traffic lights at the entry point of traffic has led to traffic bottlenecks, making travel difficult for people entering Chandigarh through Zirakpur or going to Zirakpur.
Traffic clogged as new lights go on the blink
Zirakpur: Installation of new traffic lights at the entry point of traffic has led to traffic bottlenecks, making travel difficult for people entering Chandigarh through Zirakpur or going to Zirakpur.
PWD B&R department of Zirakpur installed traffic lights and made a U-turn at the entry and exit point of Chandigarh from Zirakpur for the benefit of truck drivers and other commuters.
But the lights are not functioning properly, causing traffic chaos.
Suresh Khatri, 48, a resident of Zirakpur and a private bank employee said, "I travel through this road as I have an office in Chandigarh. But the traffic light at the entrance is causing problems as there is no timer. It blinks or turns red and green suddenly, creating confusion."
Subdivisional officer (SDO), PWD B&R department Pawan Nagpal said a total of Rs 25 lakh was spent on the project and the lights would be made fully functional within this week.
Nagpal said, "We have started the traffic light. The only thing that remains to be done is fixing carpeting of the road on the footpath area, which was broken to make a U-turn. The traffic light and U-turn were made for the benefit of commuters travelling through Zirakpur and Chandigarh. It will take a few days for commuters to adjust to and accept changes."
While people acknowledged the need for traffic lights at this point, they underlined the need for proper management. "
No doubt the U-turn and light is beneficial and was required here for daily users. But proper management is needed here as commuters are facing harassment due to the absence of proper facilities for traffic police and improper functioning of the lights", said Himani Ahuja, 24, a PU student who travels through Zirakpur.
Officials in the Zirakpur traffic police said they will appoint staff at the lightpoint after the PWD B&R department completes its work.
However, Zirakpur Traffic SHO Gurwinder Singh said, "The traffic lights have not been handed over to us and I will appoint my staff at the light after officials of PWD B&R hand over the rights to us. There's also the need for a timer so that commuters can stop accordingly. It will benefit truck drivers and commuters."
MC estate officer, Zirakpur Parvinder Singh said, "I had a meeting with the PWD B&R officials on Monday and they assured me that the road and traffic light work would be completed this week. Afterwards, there will be no problem on the road."
How will the U-turn help?
A U-turn at the entrance and exit of Chandigarh is beneficial for regular commuters who don't wish to enter Chandigarh to just take a U-turn from there. It will mainly help truck drivers who have to wait all day and night sometimes to take a U-turn from Chandigarh due to time restriction on the entry of heavy vehicles. Zirakpur SHO, traffic, Gurwinder Singh said, "It will help commuters, including taxi drivers and truck drivers who don't wish to enter or exit Chandigarh. It will also help ease traffic load under the bridge as most people have to take a U-turn to go to Chandigarh from under the bridge."
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