Ahmedabad: Drums, road barriers placed on SG Highway to cut traffic jams

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has initiated efforts to address traffic jams near Palladium Mall Junction and Iskcon Temple on the SG Highway. Traffic management work has been undertaken on the stretch by placing drums and plastic road barriers to ensure lane discipline.

The work is being carried out in coordination with the traffic police, the engineering department of the AMC and SVNIT, the consultant institute.An official stated, “ The initiative aims to keep traffic moving without hurdles and enable smoother, signal-free movement from all four directions. The plan was implemented after considering traffic jams, accident risks, and irregular vehicle movement, in line with recommendations from traffic experts and the traffic police branch.”The official said the work of placing drums and creating capsule-shaped traffic channels at the two junctions began on May 17. A total of 23 iron drums have been installed near Iskcon Temple and 29 near Palladium Mall. “Additionally, 54 plastic road barriers have been deployed, including 25 in the section where the capsule has been opened. A technical traffic survey was conducted by the consultant institute before the installations.

Authorities said a flowchart-based traffic plan was prepared jointly by the traffic police, AMC and the consultant to improve junction management.”AMC said the trial is expected to reduce traffic congestion, lower fuel consumption and save commuters’ time. “The project is currently being implemented on a trial basis, with public feedback to be collected after full implementation. The civic body said traffic police are continuously monitoring the arrangement, and similar systems may be introduced at other city junctions if the experiment proves successful,” an AMC official said.