The objective was to reduce congestion on Fergusson College Road and Apte Road, which are almost parallel to JM Road.
“We have observed that there is no change in traffic congestion on Fergusson College Road and Apte Road. Many people are of the view that the one way plan should continue so we are withdrawing the two-way plan on JM Road from this Sunday onwards,” a senior traffic officer said.
The plan was first implemented on February 8 on the JM Road stretch from Jhansi Rani chowk (Balgandharva chowk) to Natraj chowk (near Deccan PMT terminus). This was to facilitate people coming from Khanduji baba chowk to Jhansi Rani chowk to use JM Road instead of FC or Apte Road. Large numbers driving towards FC Road on Sunday evenings causes major traffic congestion.
On the first Sunday, it was observed that many people were unaware of the two-way traffic plan, resulting in minimal flow of traffic from Natraj chowk to Jhansi Rani chowk.
Traffic police had made elaborate arrangements by putting up barricades and deploying officers and policemen for smooth flow of traffic.
The poor response continued in the second week (February 15). The road wore a deserted look and fewer police officers were seen manning the road. The traffic branch, however, was forced to withdraw the two-way plan after 5pm as a large number of people thronged the streets to celebrate India’s victory over Pakistan in the World Cup cricket match.
Source: Times of India, Feb’21
