In Palanpur city, the condition of roads connecting to the national highway is getting worse every day. A significant landslide occurred on the road leading from Aroma Circle to Hanuman Tekri, near Swastik School. This road is crucial as it connects to Rajasthan and sees a high volume of traffic daily. The situation is alarming because several schools are located along this route, and hundreds of students travel here every day. Rain has caused potholes to form on the road, creating fears of accidents among the public. Local residents are urging the district collector to order immediate repairs and fill the potholes. It is concerning that no attention is being given to this dangerous road by the authorities.
The traffic problem at Aroma Circle has become increasingly lethal. In just one week, two innocent lives were lost due to accidents in this area. Despite the rising danger, officials have not taken significant action. The former president of Palanpur municipality, Amrutbhai Joshi, has submitted a written request to the district collector, Mihir Patel, asking for a re-issue of a public notice regarding traffic diversion. He mentioned that heavy traffic in the Aroma Circle and Hanuman Tekri areas has caused severe inconvenience to residents. Previously, a public notice addressed this traffic issue and significantly eased the congestion, making residents grateful to the administration and government. However, since the notice expired, traffic has resumed its heavy flow, causing frustration among the locals. Recently, a retired employee lost his life due to an accident near Aroma Circle, and another young worker died in an incident at Gathaman Circle.
The traffic situation is becoming life-threatening, and there is an urgent need for the district collector to extend the notice period and reissue the traffic diversion order. There is also a call for the collector to convene an urgent meeting with relevant department heads to discuss diverting heavy vehicles to alternate routes. In light of these concerns, Amrutbhai Joshi has appealed for personal attention from the district collector, even suggesting contacting the Chief Minister and the Secretary of the Roads and Buildings Department for assistance in easing traffic and saving lives.
The traffic congestion at Aroma Circle has become a major issue, and local MP Ganiben Thakor has requested a solution in the form of an overbridge. The traffic jam at Aroma Circle is significant as it affects routes from Palanpur to Ahmedabad, Palanpur to Disa, and Abu Road, with vehicles from these major highways converging at this junction. The increasing congestion has led MP Thakor to send a petition to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, asking for the construction of an overbridge or underpass from Aroma Circle to Bihari Bagh Parpada Road. Thakor highlighted the importance of National Highway 27, which runs through Palanpur and connects major cities like Kandla and Mundra. The heavy use of the highway by local traffic contributes to the congestion, causing considerable inconvenience for residents and travelers alike.
To address this issue, Thakor stressed the need for infrastructure development to ease traffic flow and improve connectivity. Last week, after a fatal accident on a bridge in Gujarat that claimed 20 lives, the authorities closed five bridges for repairs. They have also instructed the closure of 36 other bridges immediately for maintenance work. Roads and bridges are under strict review by district administrative authorities to ensure safety. Meanwhile, a joint inspection campaign against human trafficking was conducted at Ahmedabad Railway Station, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance in various public safety areas.
Residents continue to hope for swift action from the authorities to resolve the traffic issues and enhance road safety in Palanpur.