Chandigarh road safety measures remain unimplemented, causing fatalities

Chandigarh traffic police had proposed important safety measures for Vigyan Path over three years ago, but these recommendations have not been implemented. The lack of action has allowed reckless driving, leading to serious accidents on this busy road. Vigyan Path, a 4.6-km stretch, was suggested to be made a “No-Overtaking Zone.” This change could have helped prevent high-speed overtaking, which has been a major cause of accidents. Two recent tragic incidents—a deadly crash in May 2024 and a Porsche accident on March 10—resulted in the deaths of three people and highlighted the dangers of inaction. The stretch runs from the Kishangarh turn near Golf Club in Sector 6 to the PEC light point in Sector 12. It is a single carriageway that lacks a divider. This increases the risk as vehicles from connecting V-5 roads often merge without stopping, leading to chaotic traffic flow. Experts had advised marking the road with solid double yellow lines to separate traffic and putting up "Overtaking Prohibited" signs to improve safety. They also recommended adding a traffic light at the midpoint between Sector 5 and Sector 8, and “STOP” signs at all merging roads. After the March 10 crash, traffic officials are revisiting the proposal to make the road a “No-Overtaking Zone.” The high volume of traffic from Panchkula to Chandigarh has only made the situation worse. When reached for comment, officials stated that the municipal corporation manages Vigyan Path. This known dangerous stretch has already claimed three lives in the last year, highlighting the urgent need for safety measures.