Signal-free plan nixed, Mohan Nagar back to square one

GHAZIABAD: The `signal-free` experiment to decongest Mohan Nagar crossing lasted just 24 hours with the Ghaziabad Development Authority on Tuesday going back to the original arrangement, a day after the diversion reported massive jams. The diversion at the crossing via Loni Road, Hindon Chowk and Karhera Road, which came into effect on Monday, backfired as commuters were stuck in jams for over four hours on the stretch, raising questions on the GDA`s plan. Commuters, who had to take the 5km detour, said that GDA and traffic department should have kept in mind the inconvenience the plan might cause.

GDA`s chief engineer V K Goyal said, “We have to revert to the old route as the signal-free plan did not go as expected.” Sources, however, told TOI that GDA wanted to persist with the diversion despite the gridlock on Monday, and it was the traffic department that was not willing to experiment any further. A senior traffic department official said they were not willing to spare the entire workforce to manage just one route and forced the GDA to shelve the plan.

“We are already short on manpower and there was no way we could have deputed 80% of our manpower in managing just one stretch” the official said. Pointing out the relatively smooth flow of traffic on Tuesday, he said, “See for yourself, there is no problem now.” The GDA refused to accept any blame for Monday`s massive jam.

Commuters had slammed the Authority for the route diversions, saying that they had no idea where to go and there were many loopholes in the diversion plan. “The plan to make Mohan Nagar signal-free was made by Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and we proceeded with …