In a significant move aimed at decongesting its notorious traffic and enhancing urban living, Ludhiana has taken a decisive step towards a major infrastructure overhaul. A city-level committee has finalized ambitious designs to transform approximately 15 kilometers of the city's most congested road stretches into modern, pedestrian-friendly corridors complete with dedicated cycling lanes and green spaces.
Committee Approves Comprehensive Redesign Plans
The landmark decision was taken during the third meeting of the city-level oversight committee, which was chaired by Municipal Corporation Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal. The meeting, held on Monday, saw the approval of detailed plans submitted by consulting firms Dhrupad Consultant Pvt Ltd and Creative Footprints. The project is being closely monitored by Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, underscoring its importance for the city's future.
This initiative marks a strategic shift from traditional, basic road resurfacing to the concept of "complete streets". The new approach holistically integrates critical elements of safety, enhanced mobility for all users, and aesthetic appeal to bring Ludhiana's infrastructure closer to international standards.
Key Road Stretches Identified for Transformation
The ambitious project will target several critical and perpetually busy corridors across the industrial hub. The key stretches that have been identified for this comprehensive makeover include:
- Sherpur Chowk to Jagraon Bridge
- Fountain Chowk to Bharat Nagar Chowk and Aarti Cinema Chowk
- Chaura Bazar to Ghas Mandi
- Roads outside DMC Hospital
- Field Ganj to Civil Hospital
- Model Town Road
- Gill Chowk to Gill Village
Designs Tailored for Local Needs and Safety
The finalized designs are not generic but have been customized to address the specific needs and challenges of Ludhiana's urban landscape. The core focus areas of the redesign include:
- Re-engineering of intersections to improve traffic flow and safety.
- Creation of dedicated, protected lanes for cyclists.
- Developing wide, unobstructed footpaths for pedestrians.
- Incorporating landscaping and green spaces to improve aesthetics and air quality.
- Organizing parking facilities to reduce roadside clutter.
A senior official involved in the project emphasized the inclusive vision, stating, "Every category, including commuters, cyclists and pedestrians, will be taken care of." This people-centric approach aims to balance the needs of all road users rather than prioritizing vehicular movement alone.
Multi-Departmental Collaboration for Seamless Execution
The oversight committee meeting saw participation from a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring a coordinated effort. Key attendees included DCP Rupinder Singh, ACP (Traffic) Jatin Bansal, and Navdeep Asija from the Punjab Road Safety and Traffic Research Centre, who is serving as the project monitoring unit. Officials from public works departments and power utilities were also present to guarantee the seamless integration of essential underground services like drainage and power lines during the transformation process.
This collaborative effort between the municipal corporation, traffic police, road safety experts, and utility providers is crucial for the timely and disruption-minimized execution of such a large-scale urban upgrade. The project represents a forward-looking investment in Ludhiana's sustainable development, aiming to not only ease congestion but also promote healthier, greener modes of transportation and improve the overall quality of life for its residents.
