Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 03: Councillor of Ward No. 24 and former Chairperson, Mrs. Kavitha Udhaya Kumar, has submitted a representation to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, seeking immediate widening of the Bathu Basti Junction to address the growing traffic congestion and improve road safety.
In her representation, the Councillor stated that despite the recent installation of traffic signal lights to regulate vehicular movement, congestion at the junction has intensified due to the limited width of the road. She pointed out that the narrow stretch has become a major bottleneck, resulting in frequent and prolonged traffic jams, particularly during peak hours.
The representation highlighted that long queues of vehicles have become a regular feature at the junction, causing inconvenience to daily commuters, office-goers, students, senior citizens and differently-abled persons. It also stated that pedestrians face difficulty crossing the busy intersection safely due to the heavy traffic.
Expressing concern over public safety, the Councillor noted that emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire tenders, often get caught in the traffic congestion, which could lead to serious consequences during emergencies. She further stated that the prevailing traffic situation has adversely affected public transport services and school buses, making timely travel increasingly difficult for residents.
The representation also pointed out that local shopkeepers and small business owners in the area are facing adverse effects, as many customers avoid visiting the locality during peak hours because of the persistent traffic congestion. It further noted that the continuous idling of vehicles has contributed to increased air and noise pollution while causing loss of productive time and additional stress for commuters.
Seeking immediate intervention, Mrs. Kavitha Udhaya Kumar urged the Administration to undertake widening of the Bathu Basti Junction at the earliest. She stated that expanding the junction, along with suitable traffic engineering measures, would significantly improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, enhance road safety and ensure smoother movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
The Councillor appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Secretary to consider the matter on priority in the larger public interest and initiate necessary action for the early widening of the junction.
