Traffic snarls new order of the day in Bathinda

The problem aggravated after the latest ROB link to the city was made operational about four months ago near ITI and the traffic from Haryana and other Punjab towns passing through Bathinda for their destination cities started zooming into the city.

Long traffic snarls have become the order of the day at almost every traffic signal in Bathinda.

It is believed that the only solution to the traffic congestion caused by vehicles heading to other destinations and passing through Bathinda lies in the Ring Road project that will help provide a bypass route for such traffic.

Even though 75 per cent of the work on the project is complete,according to Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) Chief Administrator Ravi Bhagat,the pending issues like construction of an ROB on the Bathinda-Malout railway line may come as stumbling blocks. “We have written to the railways to seek nod for the ROB and its design. After the approval,tenders will be floated,” said Bhagat.

The improper timings of traffic lights are adding to the problem. “We have requisitioned the team,which had installed traffic lights in Bathinda,from

Patiala to make appropriate changes in the timings of traffic lights in consultation with traffic police officers,” said Bhagat,who is also the Bathinda Municipal Commissioner.

“Earlier,when the ROB near ITI was not operational,the vehicles heading to other cities used to take alternate routes and did not enter the city. The only solution to the present traffic congestion lies in the Ring Road project,” said a traffic police officer.