Interchanges: Need for a Changing Traffic Management System

Currently, what are the problems being faced by people commuting on highways and the people staying in nearby villages? How can the construction of interchanges be a solution to these problems? And how are interchanges going to be incorporated in the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg Scheme? This is a brief review of all these points.

The Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg will pass through 10 districts in the state. In order to ensure smooth transit for passengers travelling from these 10 districts, entry and exit points will be constructed by way of interchanges wherever necessary.

Considering the current situation, the construction of these interchanges on the Mahamarg comes across as an exception. Due to the absence of interchanges on most highways, there isn’t proper connectivity with the nearby villages. Even if in some places the villages are connected by way of intersections, it is observed that there is a definite increase in the number of accidents. Traffic congestion is also becoming a matter of concern.

With the existing highways not facilitating the connectivity between rural areas and cities, there are a lot of difficulties today in ensuring that the farm produce from villages reaches the cities in a fast, secure and convenient manner.

To facilitate the same, the MSRDC has decided to construct interchanges on the proposed Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg after considering the rising number of vehicles and studying their impact on the traffic situation. The MSRDC has already appointed qualified and experienced contractors to execute the same.

Due to the construction of interchanges, the problems arising on the currently existing highways will not continue to arise on the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg. This will not only ensure smooth transit for those traveling, but will enable the people living in villages to get aquatinted with urban lifestyle and become a part of the mainstream development movement.