Wednesday, April 27, 2005

I received a mail from Arjun Sahgal who is peeved by the fact that cranes are towing away vehicles from Civil Lines area especially after Metro has started there. He says, “I am a resident of Civil Lines area in North Delhi and have my own trading concern. Due to my nature of business I have to often frequent the Punjab National Bank branch located in the Civil Lines area. Due to the Civil Lines metro station coming up just adjacent to the building where the bank is located I have to park my vehicle on the main Sham Nath road running parallel to this building. I have had the frightening experience of my car being towed away to the Old Police Lines thrice because of this area being designated as a "NO PARKING ZONE" although there is no indication of this area being designated so.

“I am a very old resident of Civil Lines and never had a problem until the Delhi metro work started as there was lot of open space in the building premises. I would request the Delhi Police to be a bit more considerate in this particular belt and not to tow away the vehicles at their own discretion and not let the common man suffer for no fault of theirs’. I would request the Delhi Police to co-ordinate with the Delhi Metro to provide adequate parking space in this area adjacent to the Civil Lines Metro station and not to enforce the "No Parking Zone" which has designated so by the Delhi Police constables.”

I spoke to DCP (Traffic/North Range) H.P.S. Virk and he said, “Yes right now it’s a no parking zone. But we will see if there’s a feasibility of making a parking lot there we will definitely do so and also take the matter up with DMRC if they can help us out.”

Actually with new systems in place and the geography of the place changing due to Metro work, it will take time for authorities to develop the area again. And it is only with the feedback from you people, the local residents, which will help authorities in setting things right there.

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

SM Hussain wrote to me regarding the issue of advertisement hoardings that dot the roads of Delhi. This issue is of grave concern. He writes, “The Supreme Court has banned hoardings or banners on the roadsides because they distract the attention of the motorists leading to accidents. But still we come across big hoardings on fly-overs (for eg. there are huge hoardings on both sides of the Modi-Mill fly-over) and many of them are dotting the Mathura Road between Apollo Hospital and Modi Mill Fly-over.

“The advertisers are flouting the law by putting these hoardings on the railway land adjacent to railway-tracks where the MCD has no jurisdiction. And also hoardings are displayed by constructing public conveniences where they are not required. Some firms, especially mobile operators, display cloth banners across the main roads tying both the end of the banner on trees or poles with the help of plastic ropes in a precarious manner.

“At times the ropes dangle on the main roads. Two wheeler drivers are at great risk because of them. Apart from these death traps, these hoardings are lit at night with the help of generators polluting the environment. Once in a while MCD removes these banners without taking any action against the culprits. If huge penalties were imposed on these defaulters, it would act as a deterrent for others not to repeat the same crime.”

These hoardings are not only on the railway land but also on MCD land. Even traffic police has raised their concerns, but MCD pays no heed to it. Actually the MCD officials earn fat sum of money due to these hoardings. So they don’t want to let go of them. I think the Supreme Court should take notice of this and save motorists from distraction while driving.

Monday, April 25, 2005

I received a mail from Vijay Kumar Gupta who writes, “I want to draw your attention towards traffic problem in Delhi. It has been observed that several government agencies responsible for management of traffic have done a lot of efforts to improve and strengthen the infrastructure for better traffic movement in Delhi. But the pace at which the numbers of vehicles are increasing day by day, all development proves to be inadequate. At no point of time development is adequate to cater to ever increasing demand. I feel that government should not only confine itself towards development of roads and connected infrastructure but also should take effective steps to curb the traffic volume.

“I suggest that new registration of vehicles should be banned and a new vehicle should be registered only when an old vehicle is scrapped. The registration number of the old vehicle may be allotted to the new vehicle. This will not only keep the number of vehicles constant but also reduce pollution because of plying of old vehicle. This condition can only be relaxed in a case where there is no vehicle registered in the name of any adult person of a family so that any family can have a vehicle of their requirement. If a family has a two-wheeler then a four-wheeler can be allowed if they do not already have one. I hope that you will take up this issue at appropriate level so that Delhi remains liveable even for our children.”

I don’t know how feasible it is on the ground to implement because in India whatever rules you come out with, they are meant to be broken. I think the Delhi government should implement the proposal of charging more tax from owners having more than one car registered in their names. This tax should be a hefty one so that people think twice before buying an additional vehicle.

Sunday, April 24, 2005

After a long time I took the Patel Nagar Road through Shadipur Depot rail-overbridge to go to Punjabi Bagh. I was amazed to find that the journey time has reduced considerably. Most of the Metro work on this route is done now. Only troublesome stretch is the Shadipur Depot area. Rest almost all the work is done. So vehicles get enough road space at this corridor.

Another important fact is that once you get down the rail-overbridge, the road leading towards Punjabi Bagh was getting a lot of traffic jams. The flyover work is under construction at Moti Nagar towards Karampura, due to which the road space was very less for road users. This lead to huge traffic jams at this stretch too. But now this problem is solved as authorities have widened the road considerably here. Only problem that I faced here on the road is near the Pusa road stretch. The traffic lights are few intersections were not working. I think there’s some problem with the traffic signals here.

Meanwhile, to ease traffic flow, the cops have done a one-way traffic arrangement on the New Rohtak Road stretch for wuite sometime now. Vehicles coming from Punjabi Bagh going towards Karol Bagh have to take a left turn from under the Zakhira flyover and move towards Tri-Nagar. Then they turn right from Gulabi Bagh intersection towards Kamal T-Point to continue their journey. I think it is a nice traffic arrangement and is working well towards easing congestion on this stretch.

The only problem here now is the stretch, which connects the Anand Parbat Bus Terminal with the New Rohtak Road. This is a one-way road but there are lot of vehicles, which ply in the opposite direction coming from the residential colonies and going towards Karol Bagh. This creates lot of blockage here especially during evening peak hours. Even the buses taking a turn at Anand Parbat bus terminal also create a lot of jam here. I think cops should be posted here and vehicles coming against the flow of traffic should be challaned.

Monday, April 18, 2005

There has been some streamlining of traffic and some order restored at Badarpur border after MCD opened its first toll plaza at Badarpur border to turn back non-Delhi destined commercial vehicles. Well, it has been made in a neat and clean manner and it seems that day-to-day work will now go in an orderly passion, but only problem here is that once you cross the toll plaza to merge with the normal traffic, a huge bottleneck gets created. The other day I was coming from Agra, we got stuck at that point. The problem of buses choking the Badarpur border entry has been sorted out long time back. But with this new problem, traffic jams are here to stay during peak hours. I think something should be done to improve the conditions there so that the bottleneck doesn’t get created over there.

Apart from Badarpur Border, MCD plans to build such toll plazas at other Delhi borders also. These borders are Singhu border, New Mandoli Border, Apsara Border, Gazipur Border, Kalindi Kunj border, Aya Nagar Border, Tikri Border, Kapashera Border and Rajokri Border.

Officials are hoping that with the construction of such toll plazas it will be possible to effectively restrain the entry of non-Delhi destined goods commercial vehicles in compliance of the instructions of the Supreme Court.

The only point here I want to say is that such toll plazas just restore order and beautifies the otherwise dull landscape of the border. However, the point here I want to make is proper implementation of SC order. If the authorities implement it properly, then even now they can stop the illegal entry of such trucks in Delhi.

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

I received a mail from SM Hussain who writes, “With the increase in terrorist attack perception in the capital, the security checks have mushroomed on Delhi roads. We do not know whether these security checks deter the terrorists from carrying on their nefarious activities or not but they pose a big traffic hazard for motorists. For instance, there is a security check opposite to Okhla Subzi Mandi. This road is mostly dark during night or poorly lit. The security-check is hardly visible to the motorists coming at a high-speed from Lajpat Nagar side.

“It has been observed that at most of the security-checks only barricades are placed without any one manning them. These barricades are too heavy for any one to move them when they are placed on the main roads in a hapzard manner. It is also not unusual to see police putting boulders to cover the wide roads if the barricades are not enough. These security-checks may become death-traps for motorists. Delhi police may come out with proper infrastructure for security-checks on Delhi's main roads and not create eye-sores leading to traffic jams or accidents.”

SM Hussain has come out with very pertinent point. First of all let me make one thing clear there cannot be unmanned barricades on the roads. If there is a barricade then there has to be a security person there. I think Delhi police should do something about these hazardous security checks.

Meanwhile, I received a call from Govinda who travels daily from Tilak Nagar to Karol Bagh. He says, “The traffic situation at Pusa Road telephone exchange T-point has become chaotic as the traffic siugnals are not working for the past one month. It will be convenient if something is done to rectify it.”

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Traffic police are in for a ride on April 17 as India will take on Pakistan at the Capital’s Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. Expecting around 30,000 cars for the match, they have made elaborate arrangements for parking and to facilitate smooth entry of VVIPS to the venue. But their problems don’t end here itself. To make matters worse for them, the Hindus will be celebrating Ram Navami and taking out processions whereas Muslims will take out tazia procession on that day itself. So their job has doubled, as most of the activities will take part in Central as well as Walled city of Delhi.

However, Delhi Traffic Police is all geared up for the occasion and managing traffic won’t be a problem. DCP (Traffic/Northern Range) H.P.S. Virk told TODAY, “Around 500-odd traffic police personnel will be managing traffic for the India-Pakistan cricket tie in and around the stadium. For that we have made elaborate and well-planned arrangements. As far as processions are concerned, we already have a plan for it and it is a part of routine affair.”

Regarding the traffic circulation for the match, he said, “We won’t allow buses on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. We will be curtailing routes of buses. Moreover, we have arrangements for park and ride facility for viewers. We have arrangements for parking of cars at Bhairon Road and Velodrome Road. Moreover, there’s arrangement of parking 3000 cars on Ramlila ground. Another 500 cars can be parked at MCD parking lot at Asaf Ali Road. And even then people don’t find parking space or find these places inconvenient, they can park their cars at Kotla Road. And even if there are excess cars, they can be parked at Shanti Vana as well as service road of Rajghat.”

The Park-and-Ride facility will be available from Bhairon Road parking lots, Velodrome Road parking lot and Ramlila Ground parking lot. “We have arranged for 20 buses from each parking lot for ferrying spectators to the stadium. We advise people to start for the stadium early as all the parking lots are on a first-come-first-serve basis.”

I received a mail from Kulbhushan Khanna who writes, “I do not know whether you have ever been to Sarai Rohilla Railway Station which is now the only station which caters to Metre-gauge trains. Though it may be very inconvenient for you but a visit to Sarai Rohilla Station between 11 P.M. to 5 A.M will enlighten you about the difficulties faced by passengers and visitors when the respective associations lock all the colony gates and one has no convenient way to reach the station. The road is horrible with a number of potholes and no body is bothered to repair these. I would request you to kindly spare some time and see for your self. Your intervention may help in getting this problem reduced to some extent.”

Well, I must confess that I have never been to Sarai Rohilla railway station, but I know something about the problem there. Actually from Rohtak Road, access to this railway station is through small colony lanes. And sometime back, residents of one lane blocked the lane by putting up a gate there. Seeing this the residents of other lanes also put up gates and thus blocking entry to the station. There was some court case also going on regarding this. I don’t know whether the case has been resolved or not. But I think the traffic police should do something about this, if entry and exit to the station is a problem. I will definitely visit the area to get a clear picture of it so that we can follow this matter up.

Monday, April 11, 2005


The nice arrangement at Siri Fort Road has made traffic flow smoother here. Posted by HelloRecently I was going through Josip Broz Tito Marg when I saw a new traffic arrangement on the Siri Fort Road. It’s a very nice arrangement and has smoothened the traffic flow here. Actually traffic coming from Siri Fort road now has to take a compulsory left turn. They cannot go straight or turn right on Josip Broz Tito Marg. Motorists who plan to go to GK or Panchsheel now have to take a U-turn below the newly-constructed Andrewsganj flyover on Josip Broz Tito Marg and then proceed to their respective destination. This has smoothened the traffic flow at the Siri Fort Road- Josip Broz Tito Marg intersection. Earlier, motorists who had to go towards GK or Panchsheel Enclave used to block the traffic wanting to take a left turn. I think these small-small changes benefit road users a lot.

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Recently, I was coming from Shastri Nagar and going towards Sadar Bazar in the morning and I saw a very good arrangement done by the Delhi Traffic Police, which ensured smooth movement of traffic in the area. All the shopkeepers driving towards Sadar Bazaar are the beneficiaries here.

At the Azad Market Chowk, on the Rani Jhansi marg, the entry to the Sadar Bazaar area is a one-way traffic arrangement. Thus it ensures free entry for all those going towards Sadar Bazaar. While for those coming out from Sadar Bazaar, they have to take a slight detour. I think it is a new arrangement and is very well managed by the traffic cops. Moreover, I saw lot of traffic cops standing there and managing it. Such innovative thinking is required at the ground level by the traffic police. I think all the ground level staff on the field must be frequently asked for suggestions to improve the traffic. Since they are on the field, they know the solutions best.

Another point here is regarding transfers of traffic police officials. Since the time I am covering traffic police as a beat, never have I seen an ACP or Traffic Inspector, continuing over a certain post for more than six months. They are regularly transferred from one place or the other. This practice should be discouraged. Actually these transfers are done to discourage corrupt practices adopted by officials. But according to me only good officers are suffering due to this. An officer who wants to make money will make money no matter where he is posted.

But for an officer who wants to work and improve on traffic management in his area, he needs to first liason with officers of civic agencies, then he needs to know his area well as in traffic patterns etc. and then he needs to follow-up on his proposals. But here the problem is by the time the proposals finalise, they get transferred. I think transfers of Traffic Inspectors and ACPs should be done according to their performance on the field. Good officers should be given time to work on their area. Only then, they would be able to deliver.

Sunday, April 03, 2005

Girish Ajmani sent me a letter regarding the poor condition of roads in Kirti Nagar. He writes, “This is my first letter to you and would like to inform you regarding bad condition of roads in Kirti Nagar. I am a resident of Kirti Nagar and would like to bring your attention towards a Guru Ram Dass Marg, which is the main road of Kirti Nagar. This road connects Kirti Nagar to Maya Puri chowk and passes through the timber market and industrial area of Kirti Nagar.

“There’s a heavy flow of traffic on this road but for the last three months, the road has not been repaired after deep sewer work took place here. I am surprised that no MCD official or local councillor or other concerned authority has come forward to repair this road stretch between Saluja Cycle Stores to Bengal Sweet Corner. The total area that requires to be repaired is just 500 metres but none is bothered about the road condition.

“This is causing a lot of problem to the local residents and commuters. During daytime one can see the area engulfed in a cloud of dust and also huge traffic jams. Please do something about it.”

That’s the problem in Delhi. These civic agencies are in a mess. Take the case of NH 1 (GT Karnal Road). The contractor had run in the middle after leaving the whole work of widening of NH 1. The government and nodal agencies, which undertake any kind of civil work where roads are involved in Delhi should ensure that these contractors finish their jobs and not leave in the middle.

Meanwhile, I received a feedback from Joint CP (Traffic) Qamar Ahmed regrading the problems faced by Pamposh Enclave residents over crossing the outer Ring Road since traffic here is signal free. He writes, “I appreciate the problem raised by you. Installation of signal immediately after the flyover is not desirable. We have submitted a proposal to PWD for construction of a Foot Over Bridge. Request - pursue with PWD also. We are also following it up.” It’s time for the Pamposh Enclave residents now to bang the doors of PWD and expedite the process.