Surat: Traffic movement has remained closed at the underpass near Sabras Hotel (Sabras Garnala) close to Surat Railway Station for the past two years due to the construction work of the metro station and railway station, causing inconvenience to commuters. People travelling to the railway station from areas such as Kamrej, Sarthana, Kapodra, Varachha, Puna and Mota Varachha have been facing considerable difficulty due to the closure. However, relief is likely soon.

Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan on Saturday inspected the site along with City Engineer Dharmesh Bhagwakar and senior officials from the Municipal Corporation, Metro authorities, SITCO (Surat Integrated Transportation Development Corporation Limited), Traffic Police and Railway Police. Observing that most of the work at the site has been completed, the Municipal Commissioner directed officials to temporarily open the Sabras Garnala for vehicular traffic within the next 15 days with a width of 20 feet.

Khand Bazar Garnala and Sabras Garnala are considered key routes for commuters travelling to the railway station from Kamrej, Sarthana, Varachha, Kapodra, Puna and Mota Varachha areas.

Steps planned to ease traffic congestion near the railway station

• Sabras Garnala to be opened temporarily for vehicular traffic with a width of 20 feet within the next 15 days

• Rickshaw stand outside the railway station to be shifted to the new ST stand near Delhi Gate

• Barricading to be removed from the completed SITCO section near the Sardar Patel statue and the road to be opened

• Line cordon from Lal Darwaza to Ayurvedic College to be implemented quickly and the road width to be increased

• Coordination between police and concerned departments to be strengthened to streamline traffic around the railway station

DeshGujarat