Furniture market long gone, but traffic chaos returns in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: Nearly nine months after the demolition of the old furniture market, traffic congestion has resurfaced on the Sector 53-54 dividing road, this time owing to barricading near the junction and prolonged signal cycles, commuters said.

The stretch, earlier known as the Furniture Market road, remained congested for years due to encroachments and roadside parking. Its clearance in July last year had raised expectations of smoother vehicular movement. However, commuters now allege that regulation measures at the main crossing are slowing traffic on what serves as a key entry point into the city.

Barricades placed close to the junction have reduced the usable carriage width, funnelling vehicles into fewer lanes. Commuters also pointed to signal timings as a major bottleneck, claiming the red phase lasts over two minutes, while the green window remains around 20-25 seconds, allowing only a limited number of vehicles to pass per cycle.

"The market is gone and the road is wider, but traffic is slower than before," said Hitesh, a resident of Phase 2. "At times, you wait through three or four signal cycles to cross."

Traffic flow is further affected by private transport offices located ahead of the junction, from where buses merge into the main road, taking longer to clear the barricaded stretch and adding to congestion, commuters claimed.

Jivtesh, a daily commuter from Mohali, said the issue was no longer road width but traffic management. "There is enough space, but barricading and signal timing need urgent review," he said.

Similar concerns have been flagged at other entry points into the city. Commuters from Panchkula's Sector 17 side reported naka points near the Mauli Jagran roundabout, where barricades and vehicle checks at the rotary frequently lead to slowdowns.

Barricading has increased across Chandigarh in the wake of some recent incidents of crime.