In a bid to address the growing traffic concerns in Ulhasnagar city, Municipal Administrator and Commissioner, Vikas Dhakne, held a crucial meeting at his office on December 20, 2024. The meeting focused on resolving issues related to unauthorized rickshaw stands, illegal parking, traffic congestion, and road safety measures across the city.

Key discussions included the formation of a committee consisting of traffic police, municipal officials, and police representatives to take action against unauthorized rickshaw stands on main roads and city squares. The committee will meet weekly to assess the situation and take necessary actions. Additionally, awareness campaigns through hoardings and films will be initiated to educate citizens about the importance of these measures.

A special committee will also be formed to inspect the main roads of the city, particularly for the presence of yellow and white stripes, "No Parking" zones, P1 and P2 signs, and restrictions on heavy vehicle traffic. A joint enforcement campaign will be launched post-January 1, 2025, and punitive actions will be taken against violators of these traffic rules.

Addressing safety concerns related to ongoing city development projects such as roadworks and the underground sewerage scheme, Mr. Dhakne directed that proper barricading and installation of safety belts be ensured by the concerned contractors.

Further, the meeting emphasized that strict action will be taken against rickshaws parked at bus stops and against illegal parking outside major venues like marriage halls and hotels. Traffic wardens will be deployed during peak hours at key intersections to ensure smooth traffic flow.

The Municipal Corporation has also compiled a list of roads and intersections identified as traffic bottlenecks and accident-prone spots (black spots). Necessary improvements will be carried out at these locations in consultation with the Traffic Branch.

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve road infrastructure, the Municipal Corporation plans to develop five ideal roads in the city, including: Kalyan Ambernath Road (3 km), Dolphin Road (1 km), VTC Road (2 km), Murbad Road (1.68 km), Shriram Chowk to 17 Section Road (0.78 km).

The action plan also includes removal of road encroachments, installation of dividers, proper road lighting, lane markings, zebra crossings, traffic signs, pothole filling, and tree plantation along roads. The Municipal Corporation aims to complete these measures within the next three months.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including Ulhasnagar MLA, Kumar Ailani, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic Branch Thane, Pankaj Shirsat, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 4, Sachin Gore, Additional Commissioner of Municipal Corporation (2), Kishore Gavas, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Traffic Branch, Vijay Powar, Senior Police Inspector, Traffic Branch, Avinash Bhamre, Police Inspector, Traffic Branch, Sukhdev Patil, and Motor Vehicle Inspector, Kalyan-Deputy Regional Transport Officer, Balaji Bondarwad, along with Assistant Commissioners of all Ward Committees in the Municipal Corporation.