In a significant move to address long-standing commuter woes, the Traffic Engineering Centre (TEC) of Gurgaon police has initiated a comprehensive survey of a crucial 9-kilometre stretch of MG Road. The survey, spanning from the Aya Nagar toll plaza to Mahavir Chowk, marks the first step in an ambitious three-month plan to transform this arterial road into a smooth and safe passage.
Joint Initiative for Millennium City's Roads
The drive is part of the administration's broader initiative, 'Sabke Vaaste, Safe Ho Raste', which translates to 'For Everyone, Let the Roads Be Safe'. This program aims to create model roads across Gurgaon through coordinated efforts of multiple civic bodies. A police officer highlighted the collective resolve, stating that after residents invested crores in properties, the poor road infrastructure has caused widespread discontent, prompting all stakeholders to unite for developing top-class roads.
The authorities have requested a swift survey from the traffic police to enable the execution of necessary changes, repairs, and maintenance within the tight three-month deadline. The initial findings of the survey have pinpointed several critical issues plaguing the MG Road stretch.
Key Problems and a Three-Pronged Solution
The survey has identified major problems including encroachment, lack of proper pedestrian infrastructure, rampant illegal parking, and absence of adequate traffic signage. Issues with footpaths also require immediate attention.
To tackle these challenges, three key departments will collaborate to redevelop this stretch into a model corridor:
- Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG): Will be responsible for removing encroachments, creating authorised parking spaces, managing street vendors, and maintaining footpaths.
- Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA): Will inspect and improve road geometry, rectify technical or engineering flaws, potentially redesign junctions, and enhance road markings and signage. Their mandate also includes checking and repairing medians, footpaths, drainage systems, and street lighting.
- Gurgaon Traffic Police: Will enforce traffic rules rigorously. Their focus will be on monitoring speed and signal compliance, ensuring lane discipline, and cracking down on illegal parking, drunk driving, and wrong-side driving. A senior traffic police official emphasized that challaning (issuing fines) will be key to maintaining discipline. The police are intensifying campaigns for major violations, and will now start registering FIRs for wrong-side driving, alongside stringent action against speeding and drink-driving.
Blueprint for a Broader Gurgaon Makeover
The MG Road project is the pilot for a larger vision. Under the 'Sabke Vaaste, Safe Ho Raste' banner, the plan is to maintain, repair, and beautify prominent roads across Gurgaon with joint efforts from MCG, GMDA, traffic police, NHAI, PWD, horticulture, HSIIDC, and other departments.
At a recent meeting between traffic police and administrative authorities, plans to convert a total of 10 roads, including Golf Course Road and Galleria Road, into model corridors were discussed. While plans for these other roads are yet to be finalized, authorities have given their consent to kickstart the ambitious project with MG Road. The success of this 9-kilometre transformation will likely set the template for future road revamps in the millennium city.
