Where traffic comes to a crawl: Locals seek underpass widening

Noida: Residents of sectors 105, 98 and 108 have raised concerns over chronic traffic congestion at the narrow underpass near the Sector 98 police post. The underpass links Hajipur intersection with the Skymark Building intersection and provides access to Jaypee Wishtown and sectors 105 and 108.“The excessive volume of traffic combined with the limited width of the underpass has made it nearly impossible for the traffic police to manage the situation effectively. Despite the diligence of the traffic police, the jam situation continues to persist, leading to wasted time and financial losses for the commuters,” said Deepak Sharma, president of the Sector 105 RWA.According to Sharma, the problem is expected to worsen as the construction of malls and residential projects near the Sector 98 police post intersection progresses. Once these developments are completed, managing traffic in the area may become an even greater challenge for the authorities, Sharma said.Sharma cited the underpass recently constructed near the new Noida Authority building and urged officials to revamp the underpass in Sector 98 similarly by broadening it to alleviate congestion and improve the daily commute.“There is a necessity for road widening in the area. Without broadening the road, the situation is unlikely to be resolved,” said Anil Singh, another commuter.“The problem of commuting on the stretch is backbreaking as long jams occur during peak hours, both in the morning and evening. It’s high time concerned officials took note of the issue and resolved it at the earliest for commuters’ benefit,” said Shailendra Singh, another commuter who crosses this stretch daily.As the situation stands, commuters and residents alike call for urgent action to address the issue. A response from the concerned officials is awaited.