Traffic roundabouts in Ranchi set to get slimmer

RANCHI: The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has decided to trim some of the major roundabouts and create more space for smooth vehicular movement to make the roads commuter-friendly and reduce traffic bottlenecks.
As part of the project, mayor Asha Lakra, along with deputy mayor Sanjiv Vijayavargriya and town commissioner Manoj Kumar, inspected some of the major traffic roundabouts where traffic congestions occur regularly.They inspected junctions including Piska More, Ratu Road Chowk, Kishori Yadav Chowk, Sahjanand Chowk and Harmu among others. Later, Lakra directed RMC’s engineering section to identify all such roundabouts across the city which is creating traffic bottlenecks and come up with plans for each to help easy flow of vehicles.
Officials pointed out that huge roundabouts, including at junctions opposite to Nucleus Mall on Circular Road and at Sujata Chowk, are creating traffic bottlenecks. “We already have plans to rope in private parties to design the roundabouts which will take less space and accommodate the traffic lights. Once we invite expressions of interest, the selected designs will be constructed,” said RMC’s superintending engineer Vijay Kumar Bhagat.
Similarly, the junction at Kishori Yadav Chowk on Ratu Road is spread over a circular area of around 20 feet on the busy junction leading to heavy traffic snarls. It will be demolished and a smaller roundabout will be constructed, the officials said. However, they said proposed flyovers in some of the stretches could prove to be an obstacle in the project and they are trying to sort it out.
Speaking to TOI, Sanjiv Vijayavargiya said: “We will continue our inspection drive for another two to three days for a detailed review of all roundabouts. The engineering section has been asked to present the best possible designs for the renovation work which will feature high-mast traffic lights. Beautification will also be one of the criteria for the project.”