Jaipur's Rs 15 Crore Underpass Expansion Faces Major Hurdle Due to Encroachments
The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) has proposed a significant infrastructure project to widen the Kartarpura Railway Underpass at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 15 crore. However, this ambitious plan is now at risk of losing much of its intended effectiveness unless authorities take decisive action to clear encroachments on a critical approach road.
Traffic Diversion Strategy Under Threat
The underpass, located around 700 metres from Imli Phatak, is part of a broader strategy to alleviate severe traffic congestion in the area. The goal is to divert vehicles away from the heavily congested Imli Phatak Tiraha and direct them towards Sahakar Marg through the widened underpass. This approach is designed to serve as the second major intervention in the area's traffic redesign, complementing planned slip lanes at Imli Phatak Tiraha.
Despite these efforts, JDA officials have raised serious concerns. They warn that the underpass expansion will likely remain underused if the narrow connecting stretch between Imli Phatak and the Kartarpura Canal on the Mahesh Nagar side is not properly widened. Currently, this road narrows to between 18 and 25 feet at multiple points, significantly hindering traffic flow.
Encroachments Reduce Road Width Drastically
According to the Master Plan, the affected stretch is supposed to be 60 feet wide. In reality, encroachments have drastically reduced its width. The area includes small shops and commercial structures in front of colonies such as Radha Krishna Nagar and Chitragupta Nagar. A JDA engineer stated that despite planning requirements, action to clear these encroachments has been slow, allegedly due to pressure from various quarters.
The success of the traffic diversion objective depends entirely on whether this 700-metre approach road can function as a proper corridor. Without clearance of encroachments, the Rs 15 crore investment in underpass widening may not achieve its goal of easing congestion.
Coordination Challenges Between Authorities
Adding to the complexity, the colonies and the road along this stretch were transferred to the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) in 2018. This means any anti-encroachment drive now requires coordination between JDA and JMC, potentially delaying efforts further. A senior JDA official confirmed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the underpass widening is ready, but the project remains at the proposal stage and awaits approval from the North Western Railway (NWR).
Officials emphasize that the planned slip lanes at Imli Phatak Tiraha alone will not be sufficient to absorb the traffic load. The underpass widening is crucial, but its effectiveness is contingent upon addressing the encroachment issue promptly. The situation highlights the challenges in urban infrastructure development, where planning must align with enforcement to achieve desired outcomes.
