AHMEDABAD - In an innovative move to tackle chronic traffic congestion, Ahmedabad, the financial capital of Gujarat, has implemented the use of 'box junctions'. This marks the first adoption of such a system in the state, mirroring traffic management strategies popular in metropolises like London.
The inaugural box junction, painted with distinctive yellow markings, is now visible in the city's Panjrapole area. Officials believe this foreign technology could be the key to alleviating Ahmedabad's notorious traffic issues by enforcing stricter rules and promoting orderly traffic movement.
Box junctions feature a yellow box pattern on four roads at an intersection. Drivers can enter the yellow box only when intending to turn right or when the path is clear for them to proceed. If this rule is breached, the offending driver will face a fine as determined by the police.
Despite a green signal, drivers are prohibited from remaining stationary within the box junction and are expected to promptly clear the area. This serves as an enforcement measure against drivers who routinely ignore the stop line and proceed forward.
The yellow box is not a parking area. During a signal or when stopping the vehicle, drivers must not position their vehicles within this designated area.
Following this initiative in Panjrapole, several junctions across the city are set to receive the box junction treatment. These include RTO Circle, Osmanpura, Nehru Nagar, Paldi Char Rasta, Ghewar Circle, Raksha Shakti Circle, Namaste Circle, Airport Circle, Golden Qatar, Memco, Rameshwar, Shah Alam, Danilimda, Awakar Hall, Hirabhai Tower, NFD, Prahlad Nagar, Makarba, Marigol Teen Rasta, Anupam, Nikol, Khodiyar Mandir, and Biratnagar circles.
