Latest news with #IndianRoadCongress
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Thenpennai bridge washed away in December 2024 floods not designed per norms: Arappor Iyakkam
CHENNAI: The Rs 15.9-crore bridge built across Thenpennai river, connecting Agarampallipattu and Thondamanur villages in Tiruvannamalai district, which was inaugurated last September and washed away in the unprecedented floods in December during Cyclone Fengal, was not constructed as per the design standards recommended by the Indian Road Congress for high-level bridges. Soon after the bridge's collapse, the highways department had said that the bridge was designed to withstand flood levels up to 54,000 cusecs and on the day of the collapse (December 3), the water flow in the river was triple the level at 1.68 lakh cusecs. However, documents released on Wednesday by NGO Arappor Iyakkam showed that the maximum water discharge recorded in the last 100 years was not taken into consideration, as recommended by the IRC. It said that this is despite the Public Works Department communicating to the state highways before the finalisation of the contract for the bridge that a maximum discharge of 2.8 lakh cusecs was recorded in the river near the proposed site in 1972, which is 40 % lesser than the discharge witnessed during the floods in December.
New Indian Express
15-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
No magic solution for Cauvery underpass in Bengaluru
The purpose of the underpass, constructed in 2008 at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, was to ease traffic movement to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), and that in the underpass' abutting upscale residential area of Sadashivanagar as well as at the next major junction on the way to the airport, Mekhri Circle. It may be recollected that the underpass was closed down eight years after its construction in 2016 for a duration of about five months, only to be re-opened in September 2016 when the state government decided to take up construction of the 6.9 Km steel flyover, which did not see the light of day due to public opposition to it. The magic box has ever since been closed down multiple times due to water-logging during heavy rains. Former BBMP Chief Commissioner, who is now BBMP Administrator, Tushar Girinath, said the underpass has been closed by the traffic police department, not the BBMP. There is no problem from the BBMP about the site, he said, adding that there are engineering problems with the structure, which need to be addressed. 'We cannot remove it. If we remove it there will be more problems. It is a utility which will come in use in the future. We have to see all the pros and cons,' he said. A senior BBMP official admitted that the underpass — the detailed project report of which the state government approved in 2008 — does not adhere to the Indian Road Congress standards. The official admitted that the demolition of the Cauvery Magic Box would be ideal — which his seniors in BBMP do not support. Why is it called Magic Box? It was called as Magic Box as it was looked as a quick fix solution for the traffic jams on Ballari Road. The BBMP had then planned to construct it in 72 hours using pre-cast technology, but took three months to build it. It connects traffic moving from Sankey Tank towards airport road standing near Cauvery Theatre spread to a length of 3.5 metres. It was City's first pre-cast technology structure. Interestingly for the underpass, rules were not followed during construction. The project was executed even before the detailed project report was finalised. The BBMP prepared the DPR and sent it to Urban Development Department in May 2028 for approval when the underpass inaugurated in February 2008, an official said.
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Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Noida-Greater Noida Expressway set for ₹8-crore upgradation: Here's why
To improve highway safety, the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway will undergo several new upgrades, including the installation of new signboards, solar-powered reflectors, and fresh lane markings. The decision was taken by the Noida Authority in response to the rising number of accidents on the expressway. According to a report by The Times of India, the 24-km stretch — 20 km of which falls under the Noida Authority and 4 km under the Greater Noida Authority — will see many upgrades under a development project, estimated at ₹8 crore. The news report mentioned the improvement work will begin from Sector 14A and extend across the complete expressway. In this regard, a tender has already been issued and interested contractors will have a chance to apply for the same till May 15, 2025. Importance of the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway According to the officials, they are taking up the project also because of the importance of the road, as it is a main link between Delhi, Noida and Greater Noida. This expressway also connects the Yamuna Expressway. Notably, this route will become more important once the Noida International Airport in Jewar starts its operations. As part of the new project, old signboards on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway will be replaced. Solar-powered reflectors will be added to help drivers see lanes and turns better at night. New lane markings will be painted using strong, long-lasting paint. Speed limit signs and rumble strips will also be added at exit points to slow down vehicles and reduce accidents. Earlier, the Noida Authority found several safety problems during their inspections. 'The expressway is very important for connecting different areas and keeping traffic moving, but we saw many issues,' an official said as quoted by The Times of India. Cat-eye reflectors, which help drivers see the road at night, were missing in many places. Signs showing where to enter or exit were not clear. In some areas, there were no bollards—short posts used to separate lanes safely. Survey reveals poor road safety features To better understand the problems, the authority asked the Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES) to conduct a detailed survey. RCUES studied traffic during the day and night over two days. The survey found that many lane markings were faded or missing. The white lines dividing lanes were often too thin or unclear. Many parts of the road did not have important safety features like reflectors, medians, or signboards. Motorists also found it hard to understand where to safely change lanes or reach nearby sectors. There were no proper kilometre markers either, which made it hard for new or visiting drivers to find their way. All these issues are expected to be fixed following the safety rules of the Indian Road Congress, which sets the standards for highways in India. Officials said this will make the expressway safer and help traffic flow better. Signboards for easy access to public toilets The expressway also has 13-foot overbridges and about 20 public toilets and urinals. These will not be changed, but clear signboards will be added so that people can find them easily, especially at night. The need for these safety changes became clear after a tragic accident on August 14, 2024. Three students died when their car hit a pole and then a crash barrier. Two of them were sons of a junior engineer working with the authority.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Incorrect signage at city crossings causes confusion
Jaipur: They tell you to read the signs. But what happens when the signs are wrong. At JDA circle, a STOP sign is at the edge of the crossing, which, as per rules, is not permissible on a crossing with traffic signals. Motorists here are faced with the STOP sign as well as the traffic light. Which signal should they follow? Rohit Baluja, president of Institute of Road Traffic Education, has worked with different traffic authorities in Jaipur. He told TOI this issue involves a legal aspect. "Just like violating a signal may lead to motorists being booked under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act, violating this STOP sign would attract the same section. In Jaipur, the authorities have simply put these signages on the important crossings. Many signages in Jaipur are wrongly placed," he said. Several traffic signages and road markings in Jaipur are faulty and may lead to traffic violations and even accidents without motorists being at fault. These signs deviate from India Road Congress standards in terms of their dimensions, shapes, colours, and placement locations. Experts point out that despite multiple attempts to bring this matter to JDA's attention, the officials there were unresponsive to their appeals and submissions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo "Most signages on Jaipur roads are in complete violation of Indian Road Congress mandates. We raised this issue at least twice during the traffic control board meeting of Jaipur Development Authority and even submitted written complaints. But, without any effect," said Neha Khullar, project director of Muskan, an NGO working on road safety. According to Section 67 (2022) of Indian Road Congress mandate, signages shall be rectangular with a blue background. On Jaipur roads, though, signages are displayed on rectangular boards with a yellow background within a circle having red borders. "Another problem is with the U-turn boards. Authorities have installed several U-turn signages on the pavements along the left side of the flank. If you intend to take a right turn from a crossing or a cut, you need to keep right. How do you expect motorists to read such signages installed on your extreme left?" asked Vikash Jaiswal, a resident of Vidhyadhar Nagar. Officials of JDA stated that separate zones recruit separate vendors to install traffic signages in the city. If there is any mistake committed, it has perhaps been committed by these vendors. "We can't conclusively state that all traffic signages are wrong or all are right. Whenever we get specific information, we verify the fact and change the signage if required," a JDA official said.
