Circular road to be free of encroachment

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 24

Amritsar Smart City Corporation Limited (ASCL) has decided to turn the circular road around the historic wall into a smart road. The 7.3-km road serves as a link between the old and the new city. It witnesses traffic bottlenecks and needs urgent attention.

Power cables, telephone wires and other things alongside the road will be made underground. Energy-saving lights, smart digital signages and synchronisation of traffic signalling will be done. The green cover along the mobility corridor will also be increased. Besides, interaction zone will be enhanced through streetscape and urban furniture.

At present, the condition of the road is deplorable. Stray animals, blatant encroachment by shopkeepers, illegal extension of houses and food stalls are some of the reasons behind the traffic mess on the road. The circular shaped stretch is characterised by 12 historic gates.

A major portion of the road between the Hall Gate and Hathi Gate is being used by commercial establishments for parking their as well as customers’ vehicles.

The road between Lohgarh Gate and BK Dutt witnesses a heavy flow of traffic. This stretch also has a considerable portion under encroachment by roadside vendors.

The roads from BK Dutt Gate to Khazana Gate and then from Hakima Gate to Bhagtanwala Gate are a bane for commuters. Traffic cops are rarely seen to regulate the traffic. With wholesale grain and spices markets are situated inside these gates, these stretches are used to load and unload goods from heavy vehicles.

The road passes through Sultanwind, Maha Singh, Ram Bagh and the Hall Gate. These areas a highly commercial. Apart from encroachments, stray cattle can be seen eating the leftovers near the roadside vendors.

The proposal

• Amritsar Smart City Corporation Limited (ASCL) has decided to turn the circular road around the historic wall into a smart road. 
• Energy-saving lights, digital signages to be installed, synchronisation of traffic signalling to be done.