Jaipur, April 11 -- The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), confronted with rapidly worsening congestion driven by urban expansion and rising vehicle volumes, has rolled out an ambitious, multi-layered traffic decongestion plan - combining elevated corridors, railway overbridges (ROBs), redesigned junctions, and corridor-based engineering solutions - to transform mobility across the city over the next three years. A senior official said that at the heart of the strategy is a decisive shift away from signal-dependent traffic systems toward signal-free corridors, achieved through engineered U-turn designs, grade-separated infrastructure, and access-controlled road networks. "This integrated approach is aimed not only at reducing travel time but also at improving safety and ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow on key arterial routes," the official said. He said that a major infrastructure push centred on railway overbridges (ROBs) and elevated roads is set to significantly reshape Jaipur's commute, with a series of ROBs planned at some of the busiest rail crossings where gates shut 100-120 times a day, causing peak-hour delays of up to 20-25 minutes; once completed, these projects are expected to reduce crossing time to just 2-3 minutes and eliminate chronic bottlenecks. The official further said that key ongoing and proposed projects include Civil Lines ROB (Jacob Road-JLN Marg link); CBI Phatak and Saligrampura ROBs (Mahal Road corridor); Gopalpura Elevated Road; Sanganer Elevated Corridor; and Dravyavati Elevated Corridor. He said that a key element of the plan is corridor-based redesign to create signal-free routes, with the adoption of planned U-turn systems on major stretches such as Mahal Road, Sikar Road and New Sanganer Road. By eliminating direct right turns and replacing them with structured U-turns, the initiative aims to reduce dependence on traffic signals, minimise conflict points at intersections and ensure smooth, continuous traffic flow across these high-density corridors. On Mahal Road, where 40% of traffic previously involved right turns, delays of 10-12 minutes per signal have reportedly been brought down to near zero after redesign interventions. Similarly, on Sikar Road, six planned U-turns across 12 junctions have improved traffic continuity despite heavy bus movement and mixed land use. New Sanganer Road is also undergoing similar restructuring to reduce accident risks and improve travel reliability. Alongside long-term infrastructure projects, officials said the JDA is rolling out a set of short-term interventions to provide immediate relief from congestion across the city. These include the expansion of dedicated free left-turn lanes at key junctions to reduce vehicle queues and improve signal efficiency. Efforts are also underway to redesign major intersections through better channelisation, lane markings and geometric corrections to streamline traffic movement. In addition, roundabouts are being introduced at suitable locations to minimise stop-and-go conditions and enable smoother vehicular flow. Authorities are simultaneously focusing on median management, with plans to close unplanned cuts - such as the 35 openings identified along a 3.5-km stretch of Gandhi Path West - to curb accidents and enforce lane discipline. Pedestrian safety is another priority, with railings and designated crossing points being installed near markets, schools and high-footfall areas to regulate movement and reduce conflict with vehicular traffic. The official said the JDA is also focusing on improving local connectivity through small but targeted interventions such as culverts and link roads to ease pressure on arterial routes. These measures are aimed at reducing the need for long detours within neighbourhoods, thereby diverting local traffic away from main roads and improving overall traffic distribution across the city. He also flagged inefficient parking as a major contributor to congestion, noting that despite adequate off-street parking in commercial areas, a majority of motorists continue to park on roads, leading to traffic bottlenecks. To address this, the plan proposes better parking management and measures to encourage the use of off-street facilities, particularly during peak evening hours and weekends. The official acknowledged that despite the comprehensive roadmap, several challenges remain, including land acquisition, encroachment removal, utility shifting and coordination among multiple agencies, particularly with railways and metro authorities. Many of the proposed projects are still at the DPR or tendering stage, with execution timelines likely to extend up to 2028. "With Jaipur's vehicle population continuing to rise, piecemeal measures will no longer be sufficient to tackle congestion, necessitating a comprehensive and design-led approach. The current blueprint is a structural shift in the city's traffic planning - prioritising seamless flow over signal-based control and long-term efficiency over temporary fixes." If implemented as planned, the strategy is expected to significantly reduce travel time, enhance road safety and provide sustained relief to a city grappling with the pressures of rapid urban growth, he said....