In a significant move aimed at enhancing road safety, the Ludhiana traffic police and municipal authorities recently upgraded several key intersections across the city with new pedestrian signals and zebra crossings. Locations including the notoriously busy Bhai Wala Chowk, Ghumar Mandi, Dandi Swami Road, and the area near Pavilion Mall were targeted for these improvements. The intention was clear: to reduce accidents, ease traffic flow, and make crossing the road a safer, more convenient experience for the city's walkers.
Good Intentions, Flawed Execution
However, on the ground, the reality for pedestrians has turned out to be far more dangerous and confusing than before the upgrades. Residents report that the core issue lies in a glaring lack of coordination between the installation of signals and the existing road infrastructure. The most critical problem is that newly painted zebra crossings at many locations lead directly into permanent road dividers or central medians. This design flaw physically blocks the path, making it impossible to cross even when the pedestrian signal turns green.
"The lights show it's time to cross, but the dividers make it impossible to walk through. It feels like you have to jump the divider to reach the other side," expressed a frustrated local resident, capturing the absurdity of the situation. This sentiment is widely echoed at spots where the upgrades were implemented.
Multiple Hazards Compound the Crisis
The troubles for pedestrians do not end with blocked paths. Even at crossings that are accessible, other serious issues persist:
- Vehicle Encroachment: Cars, bikes, and auto-rickshaws routinely stop on or block the zebra crossings, especially when waiting to turn, leaving no safe space for walkers.
- Inadequate Signal Timing: The duration of the green 'walk' signal is reportedly too short, particularly for the elderly, children, and differently-abled individuals who need more time to navigate wide, busy roads.
- Incomplete Work: At Bhai Wala Chowk, one of the city's busiest intersections, locals point out that a proper zebra crossing path has not even been developed on one side, despite a new pedestrian signal being installed. The signal often stays red, and the divider blocks any potential route.
"Even when the signal shows green for pedestrians, cars block the crossing, making it dangerous and frustrating," remarked another citizen, highlighting the compounded risk.
Official Acknowledgement and Promised Action
When confronted with these public complaints, ACP Traffic Gurdev Singh acknowledged the operational failures. He confirmed that the issue of blocked pedestrian paths exists at several spots in the city due to the dividers. The officer has assured that he will take up the matter with the civic body responsible for road infrastructure.
"I will write to the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, to remove the blockade so that traffic moves smoothly and pedestrians are given convenience," ACP Gurdev Singh stated. This step is seen as crucial to aligning the traffic management system with the physical road design.
A Gap Between Planning and Reality
The situation in Ludhiana underscores a persistent gap between urban planning and on-ground execution. While the investment in upgraded signals reflects a genuine intent to improve pedestrian safety, the effort is completely undermined by poor inter-departmental coordination and a lack of holistic design thinking. The result is an infrastructure upgrade that has, paradoxically, increased confusion and risk for the very people it was meant to protect. The effectiveness of the promised corrective measures by the traffic police remains to be seen on the streets of Ludhiana.
