I received a mail from “a desperate commuter” N. Soni, a Defence Colony resident who writes, “I am writing to seek your help in resolving a major traffic problem. The Moolchand flyover has a separate lane earmarked for those wishing to take a U-turn. Recently some orange markers (bollards) have been installed to demarcate the lane. But no traffic cop is there to ensure enforcement. Hence those going straight continue to block the U-turn lane, and some even move the posts around to rejoin the traffic going straight! Every day, this means a loss of 5-10 minutes for those commuters who wish to make only the U-turn. No amount of honking helps, and meanwhile the U-turn traffic piles up, entirely defeating the decongesting purpose and convenience of the flyover.

“As I’m erstwhile resident of Mumbai, I can assure you no car driver would dare to block a right, left or u-turning lane in that city. Yet Delhiites and the Delhi Government seem to stomach this as routine expected inconvenience.”

Well, even I have noticed this problem of straight-going cars blocking the way for vehicles wanting to take a U-turn. The cops should seriously do something about this. Meanwhile, one of my colleagues was unaware of the one-way traffic pattern in South Extension area. And by mistake he entered the road from wrong side and was caught by the traffic cop. He says, “I had no problems paying for the challan. The only problem is the cops rather than just cutting the challan talk to you in a humiliating passion. They should be taught manners and how to deal with public. Moreover, when we tried to tell him to be polite, the sub inspector S.S. Yadav shot back saying ‘Kya kar loge, dismiss hi kara loge na. Accha hai ghar mein aaram se baithoonga.’(What can you do. At the most you can get me dismissed. It’s good, I’ll sit at home in peace).”

I think the sub inspector was very nasty. Delhi traffic Police should do something to change their attitude towards public and teach some manners.