Panchkula: Chaos, traffic snarls routine at Sector 20 intersection, locals fret

Panchkula, January 18

The ongoing construction work on the Zirakpur-Kalka road coupled with the merger of its traffic with Panchkula road leading to Sector 20 has created traffic bottlenecks, much to the inconvenience of area residents.

The city’s Sector 20 lies adjoining the Zirakpur-Kalka highway. Residents coming from areas located behind Sector 20 use the sector light point on the highway to enter the main city through Sector 12.

Residents point out the intersection witnesses an influx of vehicles from all sides, leading to huge and long traffic jams. Some complain that the duration of red light at the intersection is excessively long. “We keep waiting for the green light for quite a long time. In the meanwhile, vehicles from all sides keep queuing up, which then delays the clearance of traffic,” says Yayati, who daily commutes to Sector 5 for work.

Residents say they often witness chaos at the intersection which is located adjacent to the market. The ongoing construction work on the Zirakpur-Kalka highway has made the matters worse. The work has been going on for a long time. At the same time, the light point is the only way to enter and exit the residential areas on both sides.

“Besides, the underpass people use to travel from Sector 20 to Sector 12 and back is narrow. The same adds to traffic congestion in the area,” says Preetam, a worker at an eatery in the area. For another resident, the merger of traffic from the Zirakpur-Kalka highway is another cause for concern. “The area witnesses an influx of vehicles at all times, especially during office hours. The authorities must work on alternative routes to provide relief to the area residents,” an elderly commuter says.