Brace for traffic snarls in city

Harshraj Singh
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, January 27

Work on the ROB/RUB project has started near Hero Bakery Chowk on Pakhowal Road. Commuters may face inconvenience due to traffic snarls in the coming days if necessary steps are not taken by the authorities concerned.

The staff of the firm awarded the project have started placing sheets and diversion boards on a portion of the road (from Hero Bakery Chowk towards the level crossing) for the ongoing project work.

A rail over bridge (ROB) and two rail under bridges (RUBs) will be constructed at the Pakhowal Road level crossing. Whenever the railway gates are closed for passing trains, massive traffic jams are witnessed on the stretch.

Residents wanted the authorities to make a concrete traffic diversion plan to prevent inconvenience to commuters. “The Pakhowal Road project work should be carried out in a planned manner. Huge traffic jams are witnessed whenever the railway gates are closed for passing trains. The other projects on Malhar Road and Ferozepur Road are also under way. Thus, the authorities should make a proper plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic,” said Joginder Singh, a resident of Pakhowal Road.

“We have started work to construct an ROB on Pakhowal Road. However, traffic movement on the road will continue for now. We have a plan for traffic regulation. The road will be closed to traffic while work on the railway portion is carried out,” said an official of the firm.

According to information, the Pakhowal Road ROB would be 839.83 metre in length and would be constructed from the Sidhwan Canal side towards the Hero Bakery side over the existing railway tracks. Besides, the RUB 1 would be 458.20 metre in length (from the Hero Bakery side towards the Sidhwan Canal side, under the existing railway tracks). The RUB 2 would be 1018.46 metre in length (from Ishmeet Road towards Rotary Club Road, Ferozepur Road).