The Key Issues:

It may be necessary to debate the following traffic related issues in order to understand the root cause of the problems:

1. Enquiry reveals that the bi-cycles had always been the preferred mode of transport of the majority of residents for movement within the Campus. With the passage of time there is a growing among the residents to own an automobile and to use if frequently.
2. Proper walkways have not been provided on the side shoulders of the roads to facilitate the movement of pedestrians. The existing side flanks do not really serve the purpose in absence of rigid paving and proper maintenance. Uneven surface and wild growth of vegetation render them unfit for walking. Consequently the pedestrians occupy the precious space on the carriage ways.
3. It is important to look at the quality of traffic generated by the pedestrians. It is indeed the slowest moving and most disorderly segment of traffic, which adds to the chaos on roads in no small measure. Each one of us witnesses the scene created everyday by the school related traffic, with the kids running helter skeltor before and after the school hours and the hawkers adding to the din.
4. The entire traffic of IIT as well as Nankari converges at the railway gate first and then passes thro' the main arteries of the Campus. No attempt is made to segregate the two traffics at the entry point and to divert Nankari traffic thro' an alternate route, bypassing the main thoroughfares.
  A recent study reveals that the traffic generated by Nankari village accounts for as much as 40% of the total traffic passing thro' the campus. The details of survey conducted on 26.09.2000 of incoming traffic at main gate are as under :
 
Name of place On foot Cycle Rickshaw Two wheeler Four wheeler Truck Total
IIT 961 1492 381 1196 382 14 4426
Nankari 485 1401 337 695 133 6 3057
  It is also a fact that the Nankari traffic is qualitatively quite different from and incompatible with IIT traffic. Nankari generates more of slow moving traffic which is a bigger hazard. Hence the segregation of the two in my opinion is fundamental to better traffic management.
4. The road leading from railway gate to Hall No. II is the busiest street in the Campus and carries the bulk of traffic. The movement of vehicles on this road is totally unguided and thestreet crossings are unmanned. There is no lane divider to separate the traffic moving in opposite directions. Hence in the presence scenario the traffic manages itself in the absence to traffic guides. This renders the main thoroughfares highly prone to accidents, specially at the street junctions.
5. Condition of roads has deteriorated in general. However certain areas, such as North side Campus, are more severely affected. The last resurfacing, as per records, was carried out in 1989 and hence it is high time that the road repairing is taken up on priority.
  The issue of road repairing must be addressed more comprehensively this time and it must also include the measures required to achieve an overall improvement in the road network. In this context it may be necessary to focus our attention on the following difficulties experienced by the residents :
 
i. Flow of traffic on road crossing is not smooth, essentially due to the fact that the turning points are not well designed. A driver is unable to observe the traffic emanating from the cross lanes until he reaches too close to the crossing. Besides this the entries are not enough to allow the vehicles from opposite directions to negotiate simultaneously.
ii. The street corners are often blinded due to wild growth of vegetation on shoulders. As of now the clearing operation is conducted only annually.
iii. The brick lined drains on either side of the bituminous of the side lanes, becomes very slippery during monsoon due to growth of vegetation and stagnant water. Driving two wheeler on the sideways is a risky proposition for the residents, specially the children who are not careful enough to stick the black top.
6. Traffic signs such as 'Go slow', 'School Ahead', `Speed Limit' etc. have not been displayed on the roadsides to caution a driver. The glow signs do create an impact on the drivers and help check the speed of vehicles.

Similarly the speed breakers have not been provided at the appropriate locations. Logic dictates that the traffic emerging from the side lances must slow down before it negotiates a turn. Therefore the speed breaker should be provided on the side lances, just it joins the main street.