EXPLAINER: City traffic woes worsen amid years of neglect, poor coordination

The industrial hub of Ludhiana has been grappling with traffic problems for years. As the city expands, the issue is worsening. From time to time, initiatives have been introduced to tackle the growing congestion, and even some stringent measures such as fining violators have been implemented by the authorities. Yet the problem persists.

Officials such as the police or the district administration alone cannot solve issues that have existed for decades; residents must also play their part and support the administration’s efforts to address traffic challenges. The main factors contributing to the chaos on the roads are encroachments by shopkeepers and roadside vendors, along with vehicles parked haphazardly. Furthermore, the lack of designated parking spaces in most markets forces people to leave their vehicles wherever they can find space.

No-tolerance zones

In an effort to address the traffic mess, Police Commissioner Ludhiana, Swapan Sharma, after assuming charge, held several discussions with shopkeepers and residents to find solutions.

He identified certain roads where strong police presence would be maintained to regulate traffic. In the first phase, eight roads were declared as no-tolerance zones. These included Field Ganj Road from Jagraon Bridge to Civil Hospital (both ways), Rahon Road from Jodhewal Chowk to Jagirpur Road cut, Bhamian Road from New Onkar Vihar cut to Bhamian Colony cut, Chandigarh Road from Government High School, Mundian cut to the 33-ft road vegetable market stretch, Chimney Road from Canal Bridge to Pakhowal Indoor Stadium (both sides), Atam Park to Libra cut, Dugri Road (both ways), and Dandi Swami Chowk to DMC Hospital cut.

In the second phase, eight more roads were to be declared as no-tolerance zones, including Local Adda to Clock Tower to Chaura Bazaar (both sides) to Book Market and Girja Ghar Chowk to Kesar Ganj Mandi; Buddha Nullah Bridge to Jalandhar Bypass; Tajpur Road cut to Amrit Dharam Kanda Chowk; Cancer Hospital Road to Water Tank, Sherpur Road; Rishi Dhaba to Gill Chowk (both sides); Dhandra Road from Jain Mandir to Manakwal Gate; Aarti Chowk to Ghumar Mandi Chowk; and Rajpura Chowk to Hambran Road Sabzi Mandi to Kali Mata Temple to Bhuri Wala Gurdwara to Haibowal police station.

However, due to a shortage of personnel in the traffic police, these measures have not brought significant improvement. Sources state that the traffic police have only about 150 officers on field duty, which is insufficient to manage the city’s turbulent traffic.

Rahul Verma, a social activist and member of the Punjab State Road Safety Council for the past 15 years, said he had been working sincerely towards improving Ludhiana’s traffic conditions.

Based on his observations, he argued that the entire burden of traffic improvement is being placed on the Traffic Police, who are essentially a law enforcement agency rather than a planning or infrastructure authority. Expecting them to handle design, engineering and long-term traffic planning, he said, is neither practical nor productive.

The responsibility for designing and maintaining traffic infrastructure lies with bodies such as the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana (MCL), GLADA, PWD and NHAI. Without proper coordination and accountability among these departments, enforcement alone will not bring lasting change.

Verma said Ludhiana has grown exponentially over the past two decades in terms of population, vehicles, commerce and urban spread. Yet the city is still operating on infrastructure that is 50 to 100 years old, which is no longer capable of meeting current needs.

He suggested activating the Town Planning Wing so that authorities can actively plan and execute projects such as a new Transport Nagar, a satellite bus stand on the city’s outskirts, new wholesale markets and the relocation of congestion-causing hubs like Old Dana Mandi to areas near logistical hubs or highways. Dedicated wholesale markets, he suggested, should be created for goods such as electronics, medicines, clothing, blankets and groceries and these should be equipped with warehousing facilities, parking areas and last-mile delivery systems.

Avoid misuse of residential zones

Converting residential areas into commercial spaces is not a sustainable solution, Verma stressed. It leads to haphazard growth, puts undue strain on infrastructure and worsens congestion. Mixed land use must be strictly regulated through clear policies. Many residential areas such as Model Town, BRS Nagar, Sarabha Nagar, Kitchlu Nagar, Udham Singh Nagar, Dugri and Haibowal have shops and showrooms built without proper parking arrangements, causing traffic problems.

Political will can bring change

Without political will, inter-departmental coordination and forward-looking urban planning, Ludhiana will continue to face traffic congestion, pollution and declining quality of life. A collective effort involving MCL, GLADA, PWD, NHAI and strategic planning bodies is essential to make Ludhiana a modern, liveable city.

No check on rise in the number of auto-rickshaws

Over the past decade, the number of auto rickshaws in the city has increased manifold, yet they remain largely unregulated. Many operate on already congested routes. Verma emphasised that traffic police need to allocate separate routes for autos to ensure that vehicle load is distributed evenly and not concentrated on the worst-affected roads.