Kumhari bridge to close for a month from tonight; traffic rehearsal causes chaosb

Bhilai
The bridge over the Kharun river in Kumhari is set to close for repair work starting 10:30 pm today. The closure will remain in effect for an entire month, from 1 April to 30 April.

To manage the diversion of vehicles travelling between Raipur and Durg, the police and district administration conducted a traffic rehearsal on Monday evening. However, the trial run resulted in significant commuter distress and highlighted several logistical gaps.

Durg Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vijay Agarwal visited the spot to monitor the rehearsal. Observing the bottlenecks, the SSP directed officials to make immediate adjustments to the traffic plan to ensure minimal public inconvenience.

Evening trial leads to massive jams

The rehearsal, originally scheduled for Monday morning between 9 am and 12 pm, was rescheduled to the evening peak hours between 5 pm and 8 pm. This timing coincided with the return of office-goers, leading to heavy congestion.

Commuters travelling from Raipur to Durg were caught in long queues as vehicles moved at a snail’s pace. Many reported being confused by the new routes due to a lack of clear directions.

Lack of signage and lighting

A primary concern during the trial was the absence of adequate lighting and visible signboards. In several stretches, darkness made it difficult for motorists to identify the correct turns. Furthermore, the number of tents deployed for the 55 police personnel on duty was found to be insufficient.

The police administration stated that the purpose of the rehearsal was to identify these specific shortcomings before the final closure. Officials have promised that all issues, including street lighting and the installation of directional signage, will be addressed by Tuesday night.

Revised traffic plan

The Durg police have deployed 55 personnel to manage the month-long diversion. Authorities indicated that this number may be increased if traffic pressure rises.

Specific routes have been designated for heavy vehicles like trucks and buses, while separate lanes have been marked for medium-sized vehicles and two-wheelers. The police have advised citizens to account for extra travel time while commuting between the two cities during the repair period.