2 weeks Ago
Ludhiana: Ludhiana is among the three cities selected by the state govt to develop roads on the pattern of European countries. These roads will have footpaths, green central verges, underground wires and benches for seating at short intervals. Work will begin on three city roads selected for the purpose.
Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, accompanied by MLAs Ashok Parashar Pappi, Kulwant Singh Sidhu, Madan Lal Bagga, and district AAP urban president Sharanpal Singh Makkar, shared the information with media persons during a press conference on Saturday. The state govt plans to transform around 12.4 kilometres of roads in Ludhiana on the lines of those in European countries.
These include Old GT Road (Sherpur Chowk to Jagraon Bridge) – 6.5 km, Chaura Bazaar (starting from Clock Tower) – 1.75 km, and Ghumar Mandi Road (from Fountain Chowk to Aarti Cinema) – 4.
2 km. The stretches will be transformed into meticulously designed urban spaces. The roads were selected after discussions with MC officials and public feedback was taken before reaching a conclusion.
The roads will undergo comprehensive redesign to address traffic bottlenecks, ensure uniform road width and enhance drainage systems to prevent recurring damage. Landscaping will also be done on the centre verges. Services such as streetlights, benches, cycle tracks, bus stops, pedestrian walkways, and others will also be provided.
Agencies developing the roads will ensure their upkeep for the next 10 years, promoting accountability and long-term quality. In the first phase, the focus will be on designing, engaging acclaimed urban planners and international experts to draft detailed layouts over a four-month period. In the next phase, construction agencies will build infrastructure in eight months.
They will also ensure 10-year maintenance along with regular, mechanised cleaning using advanced equipment. The MP said that the initiative would set a precedent for urban development in India, transforming not just the physical landscapes of cities but also the way citizens experience urban life. On a query about repeated digging of roads to lay sewer lines or telecom cables, MLA Madan Lal Bagga assured that they would not allow such repeated digging.
He said that if underground cables, water supply lines, or sewer lines were laid once, the area would not be dug up again. Underground wires, separate footpaths and cycle tracks were built on Malhar Road under the Smart City mission. However, these were never used for the purpose.
Officials attributed this to lack of civic sense. Ghumar Mandi Road was also part of the Smart City Mission, but due to the failure at Malhar Road, the idea of developing more smart roads was dropped. MSID:: 119046155 413 |.
