One-way traffic on NH-53 as Kharun bridge repair begins

Raipur: Regular commuters on Durg-Bhilai and Raipur should brace for delays. Repair work on the Kharun river bridge near Kumhari toll plaza on national highway-53 began on Wednesday, prompting authorities to enforce a one-way traffic system on the busy corridor for one month.With nearly 1.5 lakh vehicles using the stretch every day, police have warned of heavy congestion and urged commuters to leave early, especially those headed to the airport, hospitals, railway station, secretariat, police headquarters, examination centres and other key destinations in Raipur. Additional DCP (traffic) Vivek Shukla said that cops from Raipur and Durg jointly inspected the site and rolled out a diversion plan to manage the expected rush. Under the revised arrangement, Shukla said that vehicles travelling from Durg towards Raipur will be diverted through alternate routes depending on their point of origin. Motorists heading for Raipur airport, Naya Raipur, Mantralaya, PHQ, Arang and Abhanpur have been advised to take the Patan–Abhanpur route.Those coming from Durg, Bhilai, Risali and Utai towards Raipur have been advised to use the Funda–Jamgaon–Motipur–Amleshwar route, while commuters from Charoda, Kumhari and Bhilai-3 should take the Sirsa Gate–Motipur–Amleshwar.For travellers from Kumhari and Ahirwara, the roadmap suggested the Kumhari–Urla–Khamaria–Amleshwar route. Vehicles moving from Kumhari toll towards Raipur will be allowed on the one-way stretch up to Chandanidih.