Amid bulging vehicle population adding to the traffic woes in Srinagar, an official report on mobility has recommended 16 junctions for grade separation including Sanat Nagar junction which is often marred by traffic congestion.
As per the official report of the J&K government, sixteen junctions are proposed for Grade separation in phase-I & II, eight junctions are proposed in phase-I – Nowgam Chowk, Sanat Nagar Chowk, Tengpora-Batamaloo Crossing, Bemina Chowk, Parimpora Chowk, Shalteng Chowk, Humhama Chowk and Jhelum Bund near GPO to SangarMall.”
“Remaining eight junctions are proposed in phase-II – J&K Bank Corporate Office Crossing, Narbal Crossing, Jawaharpora Narbal Crossing, Mirgund Crossing, Kandizal Crossing, Ichigam Crossing, Pantha Chowk, and Dalgate crossing. Four junctions are proposed for signalization in phase-I – Soura Chowk, Ilahi Bagh, Karan Nagar, and Baghat Chowk,” the official report reads.
The proposal to construct grade separators at Sanat Nagar, Bemina chowk has been hanging fire for the past many years. However, the government has not shown any seriousness.
The report further mentions that some major junctions which cater to heavy traffic and face congestion due to faulty geometry and absence of traffic control measures have been identified at grade geometric improvements with proper signalization (variable cycle, coordinated/synchronized, or vehicle actuated signals) with pedestrian signal phasing and while others are proposed for improvement in junction geometry such as separation of grades.
“The corridor improvement plan has been proposed for the junctions in series and located very close to enhance the overall capacity of the corridor”, the report says.
A total of 20 critical junctions have been identified either lying at the proposed outer ring road (ORR), intermediate ring road (IMRR), inner ring road (IRR) or at the important arterial roads).”
” Also, it is recommended that all the junctions should be installed with security cameras for incident detection and overall safety. Junctions on IMRR, IRR, and Arterial roads are planned to be improved in phase I and junctions on ORR in phase II. Three river bridges as a part of the ring roads, from existing two lanes to six lanes have been proposed for upgradation. Shadipora, Ganderbal are located on ORR and Parimpora on IMRR ” the report has stated.
