In a strategic move to improve urban mobility and pedestrian safety, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has initiated a comprehensive project to redesign traffic islands at 12 major junctions across the city. The Rs 1.5 crore initiative is aimed at curbing issues such as signal violations, unsafe pedestrian crossings, and chaotic turning patterns that have long disrupted traffic flow in Nagpur.
Rather than reducing drivable road space, the newly designed traffic islands utilize excess areas previously misused by motorists for illegal turns and shortcuts. According to NMC Deputy Engineer (Civil) Rahul Deshmukh, “These islands are not encroaching on the carriageway. Instead, we’re formalizing unused spaces to improve traffic behavior and pedestrian safety.”
Smarter Infrastructure for Safer Streets
The upgraded traffic islands feature several safety-focused enhancements, including:
- Extended stop lines to deter signal jumping
- Optimized turning radii to streamline vehicular movement
- Dedicated free-left lanes for smoother left turns
- Refuge points and phased pedestrian crossings for safer foot traffic
Deshmukh emphasized that public concerns about narrowing roads are misplaced. “We’re not shrinking roads, just reclaiming what was already being misused,” he noted.
Joint Effort with Traffic Police
The redesign effort has been carried out in close coordination with Nagpur’s traffic police. Joint inspections by NMC engineers and local traffic officers ensured that each junction’s design was customized to suit ground-level traffic patterns, making the interventions both practical and effective.
Positive Results from Pilot Site
The newly revamped traffic island at Shraddhanandpeth Square has become a successful test case. Initially met with hesitation by residents and shopkeepers, the square now reports improved vehicular discipline, fewer signal violations, and significantly safer pedestrian crossings.
“Peak hour traffic is far smoother now,” said a traffic official stationed at the junction. “Even the skeptics are seeing the difference.”
Scalable Urban Solution
As work progresses at other intersections, city officials believe this model could inspire similar traffic improvements in other mid-sized Indian cities. If Nagpur’s data-backed approach continues to yield results, it may set a new benchmark in urban traffic management and pedestrian-focused planning.
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