Killer roads: Pedal, walk with caution in Mohali

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 21

Pedestrians and cyclists are the most vulnerable on Mohali roads. Fifty-six per cent of the total accident victims killed last year fall under this category. Official records of the Punjab Traffic Adviser revealed that as many as 25 persons were killed in 24 accidents in 2015. Of the 25 victims, eight were pedestrians and six cyclists.

In 2014, of the total 25 victims, five were pedestrians and seven cyclists, which means that 48 per cent of those whose died in mishaps were pedestrians and cyclists. The number of killed under the category in 2013 was 38 per cent of the total accident victims (one cyclist and eight pedestrians). As many as 24 persons were killed in road accidents in 2013.

Navdeep Asija, Traffic Adviser, Punjab, said the authorities concerned seemed to be least bothered about the lives of the cyclists and pedestrians.

“The town neither has cycle tracks nor proper pavement or footpath for pedestrians. A hefty amount is being spent on unproductive things like footover bridges, which are of no use. The traffic management also needs to be improved,” said Asija.

Notably, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has selected seven roads—Phase 60-61, Phases IX-10, Phases X-XI, Kumbra light point, Mohali village to the YPS and Sector 70-71— that will have for cycle tracks but the plan for it is yet to be chalked out.

Mohali Mayor Kulwant Singh had also announced to construct cycle tracks last year. “The plan for cycle tracks is ready. We will soon take a positive step in this direction,” reiterated the Mayor. With an increase in accidents, the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed in mishaps has shot up from 38 per cent in 2013 to 56 per cent in 2015.

Mishap-prone areas

Abhishek Bajaj, a BTech pass-out, who conducted a study to gauge the situation for the office of the Traffic Adviser, Punjab, claimed that during the study as many as 21 killer spots in the town were identified. These spots are-Vidyapath; Diplast Chowk-Franco traffic lights; Mohali bypass road, Spice Chowk-Balongi barrier; Mohali stadium road; Phases VII-VIII traffic lights; Old NH road; Palsora barrier; airport road-back of Videocon Pvt Limited; CTU bus stop to Phase-XI market; near Kali Mata mandir, Phase I; Franco Hotel road; Bawa White House-Jagatpura bypass road; road opposite Phase IX industrial area; Mohali stadium road; near Domino’s pizza outlet, Phase X; Phases 10-11 traffic lights; opposite commando complex playground; near new sabzi mandi, Phase XI; opposite gurdwara sahib, Phase V; Kumbra Chowk & Sohana Gurdwara traffic lights (near petrol pump); PCL Chowk to Sector 70-71 traffic lights; PTL Chowk near Gate No. 4; Swaraj Tractors Private Limited, Shahi Majra; Gurdwara Sahib Singh Shaheeda, Sohana; Madanpur road near Madanpur Chowk; and the Chandigarh road near Dara Studio Chowk.

Mohali most dangerous district for commuters

“With the highest deaths (267 per million population), the district is certainly the most dangerous district in the state as far as casualties in road accidents are concerned,” says Asija.

February, the luckiest month

Certainly, February is the luckiest month for commuters in Mohali as there has been no casualty in the month for the past three years. Similarly, December and September witnessed an identical number of accidents during the same period. While two persons died in every December in the past three years, the number is three each in September.

Crucial hours

The study by the office of the Traffic Adviser, Punjab, showed that the period between 9 am and 12 pm is the most crucial for commuters as 16 road accidents have taken place during the period in past three years. The other crucial period is from 12 pm to 3 pm, in which as many as 12 road deaths have been reported in past three years.

Cars, trucks involved in most mishaps

Vehicles involved in most of the crashes are cars and trucks. As many as 52 deaths have been reported in the accidents involving these in the past three years. The total number of road deaths in the same period is 74.

Navdeep Asija, Traffic Adviser, Punjab

There is a need to understand the road safety and traffic management issue in a scientific manner. Unplanned investment on the road infrastructure has given no positive results in terms of improving safety and other traffic-related problems. The construction of footpaths and sidewalks are the best way to tell people that we care for them. Hope that the media will help create a knowledge-driven society and the authorities will understand the issue in a more scientific manner. Mohali is a classical example where the money is being spent but people are dying. The police have a limited role to play. The problem can easily be solved at the planning or execution stage of road projects.

Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SSP, Mohali

With the optimum use of resources, the local traffic police strive hard to manage the affairs in the town. The civic authorities should also help check road accidents. Several traffic lights are not functional while a number of these are hidden by trees. Slip roads are also not properly marked. While we hold traffic awareness camps for the public, the residents should also cooperate by abiding by the rules. 

Over 87K penalised for violation of norms

The Mohali police, which has just 87 traffic cops, had issued 87,778 challans, amounting to Rs 5.50 crore in 2015. In 2016, they have issued 30,941 challans, amounting to Rs 1.65 crore

Black spots for pedestrians, cyclists                                                                  Accidents

1. Jagatpura bypass road from railway bridge crossing to the IISER.      9

2. Spice Chowk to Mohali bypass                                                              3