Gurugram community has a colour-coded scheme to combat waterlogging.

By Bricksnwall | 2024-11-11

Colour-coded markings on painted pillars and poles indicate safe passage (green), caution (yellow), and avoidance (red).

Faced with persistent monsoon flooding, homeowners of Tatvam Villas in Sector 48 have created a colour-coded marking system to assist commuters in safely navigating flooded roads. The project, which has gained notice for its success, uses green, yellow, and red markings to signal varied levels of water depth, with the goal of reducing traffic congestion, car stalling, and accidents, according to residents.

The colour-coded markings, installed along the revenue road and surrounding areas with painted pillars and poles, indicate safe passage with green, caution with yellow, and avoidance with red. The approach, pioneered by resident Manjeev Aggarwal, is said to have helped prevent automobiles from becoming stranded in floodwaters, which previously caused traffic congestion and necessitated the use of cranes to rescue vehicles. According to villagers, the markings prevented vehicle stranding issues during the previous rainy season, a first in the area. 

"This simple colour-coded system has proven so helpful that during the last rainy season, we noticed no vehicles getting stuck in the flooded water," said GS Walia, Tatvam Villas' head of campus administration. ""In previous years, many vehicles would get stranded, causing traffic snarls and requiring police assistance to clear up," she says. Residents say that the colour-coded markings enable cars to rapidly estimate water depth and move safely, reducing the need for external assistance. 

Anil Puri, another local, described the system as "a simple, innovative, and cost-effective solution," emphasising its potential to save lives, property, and resources. "The primary goal was to develop something visual that might warn drivers of hazards without requiring continual supervision. "It's effective, simple to implement, and extremely useful," Puri added.

Dr. Gaayatri Bala Chhabra Juneja, a member of Tatvam Villas' RWA, stated that the project has minimised driver uncertainty amid heavy rain.

""This idea has demonstrated how a straightforward solution can significantly impact the community's safety and help prevent waterlogging incidents," I was told.

Juneja stated that RWA members will check the markings throughout the monsoon and repaint as needed. She also mentioned that they are looking at more weather-resistant paint possibilities to improve durability.

On Monday, locals will meet with the Gurugram deputy commissioner to propose spreading the system throughout the city. They believe that local governments will consider putting colour-coded markings in flood-prone regions throughout the NCR, developing a model to improve commuter safety and reduce waterlogging problems.

Meanwhile, Aggarwal advised expanding the system to other flood-prone regions in the NCR, particularly underpasses. "If implemented in places like underpasses, this system could prevent incidents where drivers unknowingly drive into hazardous water depths, leading to stalled vehicles and traffic congestion," he told me. The colour-coding serves as a quick visual alarm, reducing the risk of engine damage and accidents, he explained. 

Source: Hindustan Times