Overview

• Authorities closed the Tarnaka Junction underpass on June 6 after a 50-day trial revealed worsening traffic snarls.
• Simulative studies using drone surveillance and Google Maps data found that blocked ‘free left’ turns significantly increased gridlock.
• The closure was implemented ahead of the June school reopening and the onset of the monsoon, which had threatened to worsen delays.
• Two accidents—one fatal—attributed to signal jumping during the trial highlighted growing safety concerns.
• Officials say the underpass will only reopen once concrete plans to widen surrounding roads are enacted to handle merging traffic streams.