GDA board approves two important proposals to end traffic woes

Ghaziabad: The residents of Ghaziabad are soon expected to get relief from the menace of traffic congestion in the city as the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) board has approved two important proposals which are meant to end traffic woes in the inner as well as outer areas of the district.

The GDA board on Friday approved setting up of a much developed Transport Nagar on the outskirts of the city while a proposal to construct Multi Level Parking facility in Raj Nagar District Centre (RDC) has also been sanctioned by the board. The decisions were taken in GDA's 151th board meeting held on Friday.

"Both these decisions have been taken keeping in mind the problem of traffic congestion in the city. With the construction of Transport Nagar in the district, the entry of heavy vehicles in the city can be avoided, thus making the traffic flow in the inner areas smoother," said Anita C Meshram, Commissioner, Meerut Zone and Chairman GDA.

The officer further said that the Transport Nagar will be set up in an area of over 50 acres for which the authority will mark land. A private-public partnership (PPP) model will be followed for its construction.

"Around 60 per cent of the area will be used for transportation activities such as constructing Transport agencies, loading-unloading platforms, service centres, workshops and automobile shops. 20 per cent of the area will be for commercial activities such as transport office, petrol pump, Bank and others. Rest of the area which is left will be utilised for common purposes such as constructing post office, restaurant, health care centres and hospital," she added. The board also approved constructing a multi level parking at RDC instead of Underground Mechanized parking facility.

"We have proposed construction of multi level parking facility in RDC area. An agency will be selected for the construction which will also prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR). Once the DPR is ready and other necessary formalities are complete, we will issue tenders for construction. The facility is expected to benefit around 10,000 vehicles and will also end the traffic woes in the area," said Meshram.

The board also decided to start a single window System in December for public.

"There will be four windows related with each issue separately as property, engineering, enforcement and miscellaneous issues. The concerned person will be called to meet GDA Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and other senior officials and mostly their issues will be sorted out under the supervision of GDA VC. The move is taken to curb corruption and bring transparency," said Kanchan Verma, Vice-Chairperson, GDA.

The district magistrate of Ghaziabad Ritu Maheshwari, the VC of GDA Kanchan Verma, secretary of GDA Santosh Kumar Rai, GDA Board member Himanshu Mittal and many other officials were present in meeting.