The city police’s traffic department and the World Bank division of the state Public Works Department (PWD) are in disagreement regarding the expansion of the important Gowari flyover landing at Morris College Square. The traffic department has requested that the PWD remove the divider a certain distance from the flyover landing. However, the PWD contends that this action could increase the risk of accidents in the area.
Recently, the traffic department reinstated the ‘no right turn’ rule on Wardha Road from Zero Mile Square (via Gowari flyover) to Ajni Square and back during peak hours to alleviate traffic congestion. This initiative was largely effective, resulting in a significant reduction in travel time. However, the number of motorists arriving at Zero Mile from Wardha Road in a short span has surged dramatically, leading to traffic jams at Morris College Square.
At present, when motorists exit the Gowari flyover near Morris College Square, they must travel a distance on a single lane before reaching the traffic signal. This situation frequently leads to traffic jams throughout the day. With the newly implemented ‘no right turn’ measure, the peak evening hours have become particularly challenging for drivers.
As a result, DCP (traffic) Archit Chandak held a meeting with officials from the World Bank division of PWD, and a joint inspection was conducted last week to assess the possibility of widening the road. This plan involves removing the small dividers and leveling the road to connect it with the road coming from Sitabuldi, allowing for increased vehicle flow at the location.
According to media report, DCP Chandak said the traffic department has written to PWD regarding widening the landing with appropriate measures. “It is imperative to widen the road by removing the dividers and providing it with a proper diversion which will decongest the spot. We have requested PWD to remove the divider from some distance from where the flyover lands. This will offer more space for motorists and decongest the busy spot,” said Chandak.
In response, PWD officials contend that widening the landing road would result in accidents. PWD executive engineer Krusha Gharde confirmed the receipt of the letter from the traffic department. “The traffic department wants us to remove the entire divider till the Gowari flyover which will make it an accident-prone spot. This is the first instance that the traffic department had made such a request since the flyover was constructed. We will have to deliberate with our seniors and consider all possibilities before responding to the traffic department,” said Gharde.
DCP Chandak said PWD’s interpretation of their request was wrong. “We have asked them to maintain some distance after the landing and then widen and level the road to merge it with the road coming from Sitabuldi. We have recommended some measures, including posting of a traffic cop, so that the motorists coming from the flyover could safely take a slight diversion on the Sitabuldi road before reaching traffic signal stop,” said Chandak, adding that preventing accidents is the traffic department’s utmost priority.