A meeting of the District Road Safety Committee was convened under the chairmanship of Sh. Nishant Kumar Yadav, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh. The meeting was attended by the SSP (Traffic & Security), SDMs, representatives from the Department of Health Services (DHS), Engineering Department, Office of the Chief Architect, and the Excise Department and officers of Municipal Corporation.
Key issues related to road safety, traffic management, and public convenience were discussed in detail. The following directions were issued during the meeting:
1. Discrepancies highlighted in the Speed Limit Mapping Project being undertaken by Lepton Software in partnership with Google Maps: In the meeting it was apprised that a review was conducted regarding the Speed Limit Mapping Project by Lepton Software in partnership with Google Maps, aimed at displaying accurate official speed limits across Chandigarh roads on digital navigation platforms. During the data verification exercise conducted as part of the project, it was observed that several discrepancies exist between the officially notified speed limits and the speed signages currently displayed on various roads.
The survey revealed that out of 1131 road links assessed, 637 locations exhibited mismatches between on-ground signboards and official speed data. Additionally, 178 stretches were found to have no speed signage at all, and 175 locations lacked speed boards specifically for two-wheelers.
Taking serious note of the discrepancies, the Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, has directed all concerned departments, including the Engineering Department, Police (Traffic Wing), and other relevant civic agencies, to initiate immediate action for rectification of wrongly displayed speed signages. He emphasized that accurate speed limit signage is crucial not only for commuter safety but also for the effective implementation of speed regulations by enforcement agencies.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed that necessary corrections should be carried out in a time-bound manner to ensure that on-ground sign boards are fully aligned with the officially notified speed limits.
2. Encroachment and Illegal Parking at Sector 29/30 Light Point: A joint survey is to be conducted by SDM (East) along with concerned stakeholder departments. The Engineering Department has been tasked to prepare a strict enforcement plan, including the construction of a boundary wall and placement of iron railings to prevent unauthorised vehicle access and illegal parking.
3. Speed Calming Measures at Sector 9/10 Jan Marg: To enhance public safety, CE UT was directed to implement appropriate speed calming measures on this high-traffic stretch. The Engineering Department was instructed to use 15 mm raised strips to effectively reduce vehicle speed. The work is proposed to be undertaken after the monsoon season.
4. Illegal Taxi Stand near Novotel Hotel, Tribune Chowk: CE UT was directed to take necessary action against illegal taxi operations functioning in the vicinity. The installation of crash guard grills to prevent unauthorised entry is already underway and is expected to be completed by the first week of July 2025. The Traffic Police was instructed to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) on the matter.
5. Concern over Liquor Vend at Dhanas Light Point: The Deputy Commissioner expressed serious concern over the continued operation of a liquor vend at Dhanas Light Point due to the non-availability of adequate parking and its proximity to a congested intersection. He directed the Excise Department to not consider allotting this location in future and to explore a more suitable site for relocation. It was further instructed that this location must be excluded from consideration in the upcoming excise auction.
The Deputy Commissioner underscored the need for coordinated and sustained efforts among all departments to address road safety challenges and ensure smooth urban mobility. All departments were directed to ensure timely compliance with the decisions taken during the meeting.