Traffic congestion near the diversion on Janpath following closure of the Rajmahal Square roundabout on the Ashok Nagar side

The roundabout at Rajmahal Square has been closed on the Ashok Nagar side. This has led to traffic congestion on Janpath at the diversion near the Sreeleathers showroom in Bhubaneswar. To force commuters to use the flyover instead of the roundabout, the public works department and the traffic wing of the police have decided to close the roundabout. As part of the closure plan, the portion of the roundabout at Ashok Nagar has been closed. In the second step, the Bapuji Nagar-end of the roundabout will be closed. Officials of the police and the PWD hope that once two sides of the roundabout below the flyover are sealed, people will be forced to take the overbridge

The flyover was originally planned with an underpass to facilitate traffic movement from the Station Square-end to Sishu Bhavan Square and vice-versa, but the tunnel portion was buried under sand and only the bridge was opened on October 17 last year. The Telegraph identifies some of the problems and suggests a few possible steps to wriggle out of the traffic mess

 

Problem No. 1: Diversion creating problems such as traffic jam during peak hours near the median in front of a shoe store
TT suggests: Diversion is not a solution as traffic jam will add to pollution. Traffic police should be deployed instead to ensure smooth traffic

Problem No. 2: Diversion is open at one end, but there is no road clearance near it.
Many vendors sell fast food and vehicles parked on road further slows down traffic
TT suggests: Relocate vendors and prohibit parking to ensure road clearance in front of diversion at Ashok Nagar

Problem No. 3: The approach to Rajmahal flyover doesn’t have a diversion sign for
commuters. This adds to chaos near flyover
TT suggests: Proper signage must be in place on the AG Square-Rajmahal junction so that vehicle owners take the flyover. This will lessen traffic congestion in the area. Public works department and police officials must take note of the situation