Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Recently a friend of mine and ex-colleague, Jai Arjun, who’s truly, madly, deeply in love with blogging described in his blog about a Good Road Day in Delhi. I thought I’d share it with you guys. It’s a must read for all. “Most times it’s ghastly driving to office at the peak of the Delhi summer. At the end of the 16 kilometres (which can translate into anywhere between 45 and 80 minutes, depending on how many cars have been bumper-kissing along the route I take, and how antagonistic their drivers are) I feel like I’ve lost 40 per cent of my body weight in sweat and aged a 100 years in the process. Today (June 27) was different; I wouldn’t have minded one bit if I had to travel to another city. The weather was lovely (save for a spell of much-too-heavy rain near the Moolchand flyover) and there were RD Burman specials on radio channels (today being the great man’s birth anniversary).

“When the weather is good, the traffic always seems much better behaved than normal. People even stick to their lanes, don’t honk all that much and there are hardly any traffic jams (except for waterlogging-induced ones). Interesting. And sad, because these are the days I wouldn’t mind being stuck on the road for hours. ("Piya tu ab toh aaja" was being played for the third time when I had to switch the stereo off because I’d reached office.”
Well I have been longing for such a drive but sadly enough I have shifted my residence, which is just a stone’s throw away from office and have sold my old car. Earlier, it was a cool 16-kilometre drive from my home to office and since this paper was just launched, the work timings fluctuated a lot. There were days when I used to go back home at twilight, tired and sleepy, driving at 80kmph ready to crash in the bed. I never enjoyed those drives.
However as my bosses changed the office timings, my route was reversed, and lo I was driving office at 5.30 in the morning. I started enjoying my drive through Moolchand, Delhi Golf Club, India Gate and Ashoka Road. Those were the best drives I ever experienced in Delhi. I used to hit the road at 5.30 in the morning, fresh and revitalized and within 20 minutes I used to reach office. Well, those were the days when I experienced Delhi mornings with a fresh mind for the first time in my last eight years of stay here.
I still remember a cyclist, whom I used to cross paths with everyday, on his bike riding down the Ashoka Road on his way to Yamuna Velodrome. Then I used to come across a certain group of bikers doing wheelies and trying certain acrobatic skills on the open road and not to talk about old couples walking along the road with their pups.
Gone are those days now! I hardly enjoy my two-and-a-half kilometre long ride to office from old Rajinder Nagar to Jhandewalan Extension. Well for journey details you got to wait until my next column is published on Monday.


After reading my story on ways to dodge the police to avoid traffic challans, which was published recently in TODAY, one of my friends sent me a picture of the numberplate of a car. Well, this car seems to be of a cop as it is clearly written on the numberplate of the car. I don’t know why in Delhi people use such stunts. The other day I saw an Indica and on its windscreen the owner had pasted “POLICE” as well as “PRESS” stickers on it. Are these guys mad? Why do they do such things? I fail to understand it.

Maybe this is because of the prevalent system in India where people from the fourth estate, police and lawyers are given preferential treatment by the traffic cops or for that matter any government official. The traffic cops think that advocates can drag them to courts for no reason or rhyme and press people can concoct any cock and bull story against them and put them in trouble. But a lot many times I have seen the traffic cops leaving these “fake” journalists and prosecuting the “real” journalists.

Another group here is of politicians. I have seen few ministers of Delhi government travelling towards secretariat on roads. They just cross you and one won’t even come to know about them. And if you pass through any of the state Bhawans, then you’ll see some non-descript minister, especially from UP and Bihar, having cavalcade of ten cars with them and they won’t even bother to stop during red lights. Forget about the present ministers, I have even seen some one-time ex-ministers who still have beacon light affixed atop their cars even now. Delhi is definitely a place to show-off and sometimes this stuff even works for their benefit. I think Delhi Traffic Police shouldn’t leave such kind of people and prosecute them. Only then their psyche will change.

Monday, June 27, 2005

I received another mail from SM Hussain who writes, “The other day, I saw a motor-cyclist bumped into a branch of tree on the Delhi-Mathura Road, near Haldiram Sweets, and was seriously injured. The tree was uprooted a few days back when the hailstorm lashed the Capital. This is not an isolated accident. A number of accidents take place on Delhi roads not because of rash driving but because of callous attitude of MCD. It is not uncommon to see on Delhi roads trees/poles/wires uprooted because of rains or storms. They keep lying for days together without any one bothering about the great danger they pose to motorists.

“Of late, it has been observed that some people removed stones at many places from the dividers on the Mathura Road to make a convenient U-turn. These stones were left on the roadside, which may cause a big accident. These self-made U-turns pose a big traffic hazard. About the condition of the roads in Delhi (leaving VIP roads like Rajpath), lesser said the better. They are full of potholes and very badly maintained.

“Now with the onset of monsoons, their condition has become bad to worse. Every one in Delhi knows that there are some roads, which are prone to submersion in monsoons except the Delhi Government. That is the reason why no action is initiated for ages.”

I agree in the New Delhi area, authorities are very quick to remove such obstructions on roads. But that area comes under New Delhi Municipal Council and they are prompt in doing stuff. Now Municipal Corporation of Delhi is totally different with different work culture. God save that department. I can just imagine how traffic cops get their work done from them. Regarding the bad condition of roads, Delhi Traffic Police does an exercise every year before the onset of monsoon where they identify bad roads where potholes occur and water logging takes place. After this exercise they send the list to concerned civic authorities like NDMC, MCD, PWD and ask them to repair the road so that motorists don’t face any inconvenience. Now it depends on concerned civic department how they function. Some take the matter seriously and carry on the repairing work and some don’t.

I think the Delhi government should appoint a nodal agency or a cell, which should co-ordinate with different civic agencies and get the work done on urgent basis. At least before the monsoon comes, existing potholes should be filled up.

Sunday, June 26, 2005

I received a fax from Lt. Gen J.S. Bhatnagar (retd) who writes, “The traffic signals at the Old Delhi–Gurgaon Road and Rajokri –Najafgarh Road crossing right under the nose of Kapashera police station are either permanently switched off or sometimes put on blinker mode. No traffic policeman is ever assigned to this traffic busy intersection, which results in major nightmarish traffic jams all along the day and night. The road has assumed more significance after the traffic of NH8 towards Palam airport has been routed on this stretch. Two years ago, I had written to the Commissioner of Police and had received responses from both Shri R.S. Gupta and Shri Maxwell Parriera but unfortunately nothing has happened on the ground resulting in constant suffering to the motorists. You could kindly bring it to the notice of the concerned for remedial action.”

Yes, I have passed through this intersection several times and yes I have noticed heavy movement of traffic. These days the traffic movement has increased because lots of trucks take this route. Although I have seen PCR vans stationed here but no traffic policemen. With times traffic is growing manifolds throughout the city and suburbs of Delhi get minimum attention from Delhi Traffic Police due to short staff. Actually the traffic staff is mostly concentrated around airport and on NH8. I think this letter will turn their attention towards these neglected-but-busy intersections now.

Meanwhile, According to a Delhi Traffic Police press release, “The Delhi Traffic Police has prosecuted 16,56,679 vehicles for various type of traffic violations so far this year. Out of these, almost six lakh are Cars or Jeeps, more than four lakh scooters and motorcycles, more than three lakh Light Goods Vehicles.

“In various traffic violations, almost 1075 vehicles are being challaned on an average for violation of Traffic Signals daily. Similarly, 644 vehicles were challaned for Defective Number Plates. 629 drivers were challaned for Not Using Seat Belts. Almost 170 drivers are being challaned on an average for Dangerous Driving daily. On an average, 17 drivers are being challaned for Drunken Driving and 7 for Minor Driving each day.”

So Delhiites, beware when you hit the roads!

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

I received a fax from Sanjay Bahal who is a transport planner himself. He demands that the road connecting vegetable market (choti subzi mandi) in Tilak Nagar to outer Ring Road, Vikaspuri a no entry zone for heavy commercial vehicles.

He says, “The above-mentioned road is an inner colony road of Tilak Nagar. But what happens is that heavy vehicles like trucks, etc. use this colony road, which is not wide enough, as a bye-pass road for going towards Rohtak, Ferozepur, etc.”

“Now this is a colony road and due to these trucks plying on this road, lot of traffic congestion is experienced here. Even pollution generally remains high here and it has also become a safety issue for senior citizens and kids. These vehicles are driven at a very high speed and after 9 pm life is hell for us. We need a respite from this.

“I just request you to study the problem here and highlight it in your paper. This road should be made a 24-hour No Entry Zone for commercial MMVs and HMVs. Vehicles like Mahindra pickups; etc can be used for loading and unloading purposes for the shopkeepers here. The same vehicle instead of coming back can be asked to proceed towards District Centre, Janakpuri and then can be diverted towards Outer Ring Road for their native destination. If it is done the colony people will feel much safer and will restore peace and tranquillity.”

I just hope the Delhi Traffic Police will take note of this and I hope they work on an action plan keeping in mind your advice. Meanwhile, Pallavi Malhotra mailed me saying, “I don’t know if it’s only me or have others noted this too but why is it that free left turns are never actually free. Even the traffic cops are really not concerned about enforcing lane discipline on these turns so that vehicles turning left get a free way. If they did, there might be less traffic at the signals. And also why is it that the car on extreme right always wants to take the left turn and vice versa?”

Yesterday only I was speaking to HPS Virk, DCP (Traffic/North). He told me that people do zig-zag driving because they are impatient and want to reach their destinations as soon as possible. Actually he felt that habits of Delhiites are changing with times. In this fast-paced world, none has time to be patient. So I feel that patience should be the buzz word when you drive.

Monday, June 20, 2005

I received a mail from Pradeep Kant who is a Managing Director with a firm. He feels that Delhi Police guys should use their resources properly. He writes, “One has to experience the frustration of going for a meeting to Mohan co-operative. On June 7, I was delayed by about 45 minutes. It took me that long to reach from Apollo Hospital to Badarpur Power Plant.

“I am of the view that the traffic police should get very strict about enforcing discipline. Unfortunately they do not appear to treat all citizens equally. I was stopped (on June 7) for over-speeding, while overtaking a garbage truck on Ring Road - ITO flyover. I was trying to avoid the putrid wake of an open garbage truck headed towards the Garbage dump (just ahead of Pragati Maidan - towards the Yamuna).

“Voila! I was let off! Since I requested the inspector to join me and follow the truck - which deserved to be challaned. The posse of traffic policemen must have consisted of about 10 (if not more) policemen and at least two vehicles. At the same time, the Badarpur chowk had only two cops. Any student of management would consider this a mis-appropriation of resources. Hope this can be heard by the right people in Delhi Police.”

I must congratulate you that the Traffic Inspector understood your plight and let you off. These days they hardly leave you. Even I have been challaned twice for over-speeding in the past week. Secondly regarding the allocation of staff, during the surprise checks or wherever the interceptor is stationed, one needs a bit more staff to tackle Delhi drivers. If there are only two or three of them then most of them won’t even bother to stop when these cops ask them to stop. So they need more cops at these places.

Another important factor is that Delhi Traffic Police is short staffed. So at regular places there is less staff. Although the rest of the staff is summoned as the requirement is. Solving Badarpur border’s problem will take time as NHAI is planning to make an eight-lane toll road from Ashram to Badarpur border.

Sunday, June 19, 2005

On Saturday night I had a horrifying experience on the Ring Road in Delhi University outside Jubilee Hall. It was around 11.25 pm (June 18) when I was coming from Delhi University guesthouse after meeting some guests. I wanted to hire and auto rickshaw. I stood there for almost 30 minutes but none was ready to go by the meter. During daytime it takes almost Rs 34 and including the night charges the fare would have come to Rs 50 only. I was ready to shell out Rs 60 still none was ready to go to Old Rajinder Nagar. The minimum a driver asked was Rs 75. Rest were all asking for more than that, some even asking for money in three figures.

Well, a blueline bus came plying on route number 971 (Rohini Avantika-Anand Vihar). I boarded the bus along with my friend it till Kingsway Camp because from there one can easily get an auto rickshaw at reasonable rates. That’s when the drunk conductor came to me and asked for Rs 10. I thought he is assumed I am going to Rohini, that’s why he is asking for more money. But he told me that it is night and it is he who decides how much money I got to pay him. Ideally I was supposed to pay Rs 4 for the two of us. When I asked for the tickets, he refused. When I asked why is he doing such a thing and I told him that I would complain.

He got agitated and came to bash me up with a huge iron rod. He nearly lammed me up with the rod but at the right time, I got hold of the iron rod. So he couldn’t hit me. Another of his colleague came to bash me but then few other passengers sitting in the bus started yelling at them. Then he started threatening me saying, “whatever I want to do I can do.” He also dropped some SHO’s name, which I couldn’t remember saying, “we know him and instead we will get you in trouble.” Even the other guy started, I think even he was the conductor, hurling abuses at me and pushed me. They all assumed I was a student and can do nothing. Even I never told them that I am a reporter, otherwise he could have got more aggravated. It was tough pacifying him. Coz. I didn’t know when he would bash me up with the rod. As the first time I was able to grab it. But he was still holding the rod pointing at my head. Somehow I told him nicely that I am very scared of him and won’t ever utter the word complaint again and I am sorry. Please leave me now.

It was then that he shouted at me using the choicest of swear words, “Do whatever you can. The bus number is 7838 and nothing will happen to us. And even if you try and complain about this, wherever you are we won’t leave you.” They then pushed us from the bus. I was stunned by the whole incident. Although my friend who is a student in the university wanted to respond by bashing them, but I contained him somehow. I never wanted to create a scene there and that too with conductors, drivers and their pals sitting next to them. Delhi at night is really scary and unsafe. God save bus passengers from the tyranny of such goons who come in the disguise of blue line bus conductors and drivers.

The antithesis of the whole incident was that as soon as I was pushed down from the bus, I bumped into an auto rickshaw driver. This time I was ready to pay even Rs 100. But when I asked he said that he would go by the meter. Only thing was I had to pay night charges. What else did I want? I hired him and this driver was worth praising. Even after midnight, he stopped at each and every traffic signal and obeyed rules to the hilt. Hats off to such guys!

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

I received another mail from S.M. Hussain who writes, “On the other day, I travelled from Nehru Place to Badarpur Border by an RTV (Rural Transport Vehicle) i.e., mini-bus. This is the only mode of transport between the two important landmarks for hundreds of commuters working either at Nehru Place or Okhla Industrial Area Phase I, II, III and also to devotees visiting the oldest shrine Kalkaji Mandir. These CNG rural transport vehicles (RTVs) were introduced four years back, especially on the suburban routes, when the Delhi Government introduced CNG buses putting diesel vehicles off the roads.

“These buses out-lived their life because of over-load of passengers and bad use. I was shocked to see when I boarded one of the buses that it had no proper windows, seats or doors. It was in such a ramshackle condition that I felt any moment it might break into pieces. The passengers were herded inside the bus like cattle. Although the maximum capacity of the bus is 18 passengers but more than fifty passengers were squeezed inside it with a couple of passengers sitting right on the driver’s lap.

“The bus kept pace with loud music. Then the actual race began. Four RTVs began the race like monsters on the road unmindful of human life or other vehicles or traffic police. They broke all traffic rules jumping all the traffice-lights with impunity. It looked as if the traffic police have exempted them from driving in the bus-lanes, stopping at the signals, stopping at the bus stops and driving within the speed limit.

“The traffic police were watching these formula RTVs in action like mute spectators. Unless the Delhi police take action against these mini-monsters a big tragedy is waiting to happen. It is high time the transport department abolished RTVs from Delhi roads and introduced DTC buses because these buses were introduced as a temporary relief to the harried commuters when CNG was introduced because of shortage of CNG buses and not as a permanent solution.”

I truly agree with you statement and can well imagine your journey in it. Perhaps, even I have faced the same problem while travelling in these buses. On top of it, they charge even more money from commuters. Actually these buses have been given permit to ply on feeder routes. However, none cares to check them. The fitness test on such buses should be done quite frequently and even traffic police should discipline them instead of taking the customary money from them. RTVs are a real source of income for the cops on the roads. I have seen them taking money. In fact each blueline bus or an RTV has a copybook on the dashboard, which is signed by a constable. That copybook acts as a ledger where all the entries relating to payment made to traffic cops are made. Once this practice stops and cops actually start booking RTVs, only then these guys will straighten up. Until then swear that you won’t board an RTV again.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Speaking about yesterday’s problem regarding Dhaula Kuan flyover, I received another phone call from one Mr Bhatia who says that, “If one comes from S.P. Marg and has to go to Moti Bagh, then one will find lots of buses parked on the left hand side of the flyover. And the left cut for the loop, which connect to Ring Road outside the Transport company office is dangerously narrow. Moreover, it becomes more dangerous when vehicles wanting to go to Moti Bagh come in the way of Gurgaon-going traffic. Something engineering intervention needs to be made in order to improve the situation here, otherwise an accident is waiting to happen here.”

Another mail that I received is from S.S. Mehta who is peeved by the way the traffic cops behave. “On May 20, I sent a request to the traffic police to which got an acknowledgement too but nothing has been done so far. It seems they are waiting for serious accident to happen before they act.”

The mail, which he sent to Traffic Police was, “I am a senior citizen and want to bring gross violation of traffic rules in front of our society to your attention. There is Traffic light in front of the society address of which is given below (B-1/307 SUNRISE APARTMENTS, SECTOR-13, ROHINI). No one wants to stop on the RED LIGHT and if you even remind them the reply is ‘Budhe go your way’. Some times it is even difficult to cross the road on RED LIGHT.

“The school cabs are the ultimate violators. If you want to see the violations, the best time is between 8-9 am, 2-3 pm and later in the evening. My request is that please first appoint some officer of the Traffic Police to persuade the violators not to repeat in future. The officer can come again after two days and if still people violate, book them.”

Regarding the Dhaula Kuan problem, I think it needs some engineering intervention. The other day I faced the same problem here. Since buses keep on standing there one cannot take the left lane. And if you come to the middle lane then one crosses the path of Gurgaon-bound vehicles. So one mistake may lead to an accident. For Mr Mehta’s problem, the cops just need to deploy someone there. These days already they are in a challaning spree. Just few hours at that point and they will mint money like hell and in turn even will put brakes on the law-breakers.

Monday, June 13, 2005

I received a mail from Group Captain (retd) S.C. Sharma who writes, “I am a retired IAF officer and a senior citizen now. Like many others, a large number of us, serving officers and their families visit the Defence Services Officers Institute (DSOI), located at Dhaula Kuan, for various cultural, social, sports and other activites/programmes.

“Unfortunately, a bus-stand has been created there a few years ago in such a manner that it causes great trouble for vehicles trying to enter the DSOI. Since the buses, autorickshaws and other vehicles seriously keep on standing outside the entrance gate of the DSOI, it causes extreme problems for us to enter the DSOI.

“I learnt from the DSOI authorities that this problem has been projected to the traffic police and other civil authorities immediately after the said bus stand was created but to no avail. Is it that things will be rectified only when a serious accident takes place? Is it too much to accept from our civil authorities to relocate the said bus stand about 50 yds away from the entrance gate of the DSOI to help officers and their families avail facilities at an Institute whose very beauty has been destroyed by the creation of the said bus stand?”

Development of bus stop and making of bus bays was in the original plan of Dhaula Kuan grade separator. However, everything went haywire after the government failed to execute the whole Dhaula Kuan flyover project in one go. Now the development and construction of proper bus bays is in the hands of NHAI. God knows when will they start developing this place. Right now one can just pray that they do this work soon. Regarding traffic police not shifting the temporary arrangement of not shifting the bus stop, maybe they don’t have any other alternative on this side as on the opposite side, changes already have taken place.

Sunday, June 12, 2005

I received a mail from Deepika Sharma who writes, “A few months back I used to go to Hauz Khas every day. Whenever I crossed Indira market I always bumped into stray cattle on the roads. They always create traffic jam because there’s a vegetable market right next to the main road. The cattle linger around there to eat the leftover vegetables. But in return it becomes a trouble not only for the traffic but also for the cattle themselves. Even they get hurt every now and then. It will be a great help if the MCD can take care of this matter.”

The problem of stray cattle meandering on capital’s streets is not new and I think MCD can hardly solve this problem coz they have very small staff to cater to the problem of such a mass scale. Recently MCD announced they would put chip on cows, etc for identification purposes. In Delhi what the cattle owners do is leave the cattle on the roads so that they can roam around anywhere. And even if MCD can catch the stray cattle on road, they can hardly catch the real culprit. Once the chips are installed then MCD guys can easily catch and fine the cattle owners. This will discourage dairy owners, etc. to let their cattle out on Delhi roads.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic Police is on a challan spree. They are leaving no stones unturned to nab traffic offenders. According to a press release, “To bring erring drivers of various vehicles to some discipline, the Traffic Police has accelerated its prosecution drive in the last couple of weeks. Special emphasis is being paid to prosecute vehicles with Tinted Glasses, vehicles Crossing Stop Lines at Intersections and vehicles having Defective Number Plates.”
In all, the cops have prosecuted 15,29,088 vehicles this year. And on June 9 itself, they prosecuted 15,844 vehicles. The break-up includes 283 vehicles with tinted glasses, 1142 vehicles with defective number plates, 953 vehicles for stop line violations and 1940 two wheelers drivers and pillion riders were prosecuted. Apart from these, 732 vehicles were prosecuted for over speeding, four vehicles for driving by minors, 1973 vehicles for jumping traffic signals, 1122 vehicles for not using seat belts were also prosecuted.

So the tigers are on the prowl on Delhi roads, be careful Delhi drivers; else be prepared to shell out money.

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Continuing with yesterday’s letter of Ajay Kumar on the problems faced by the commuters while travelling through Badarpur border as well as inability of traffic cops disciplining blueline buses on roads, he further writes, “How the bus stops locations are chosen defies all logic. You have a busy intersection, which one crosses with great difficult testing all limits of patience, and you have a bus stop immediately after that. So you have to stop in face of all the buses jostling there for passengers and so the smooth flow of traffic is blocked. This is not just the situation at Badarpur, but look anywhere around the city, that is same pattern followed for Bus Stop locations.

“Also, there has been a significant increase of the container trucks in the traffic these days. To experience these giant machines, just try to drive on Mehrauli-Badarpur road. A section of the road right from Surajkund crossing near Indian Oil petrol Pump till the Lal Kuan traffic light (towards Okhla Industrial estate) seems to have been reserved for these container trucks to park (two side lanes on each side reserved, leaving just one lane for the traffic to move on). And since these trucks are increasing in number by the day, one day, I can foresee that the entire Mehrauli Badarpur road stretch could be lined up with these trucks. We could probably use these parked trucks then to take pictures of the Tughlakabad fort without having the need to climb the fort to experience the historical beauty. Some of the empty spaces next to the Tuglakabad fort have already been reserved for these containers.

“I am wondering if anything could be done in this regard to elevate the sufferings of the hapless commuters like me who endure these scenes on a daily basis. On a normal day, one spends at least 20 minutes to half an hour just to cross the Badarpur stretch, but on a rainy day the wait becomes endless, touching even two hours.”

Well, if you ask the traffic cops, even they ask the same question regarding positioning of bus stops. Here the small-time politicians, blueline buses, restless commuters, etc. have a major role to play regarding the selection of bus stops. None asks the traffic cops where to make a bus shelter. And regarding the container depot and trailers parked on the road, I think the cops should take the matter seriously. By simply prosecuting such trailers by issuing challans won’t solve this problem. Few drastic steps need to be taken by the cops so as to discourage the trailers from parking there.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

I received a long mail from Ajay Kumar, which I will divide into two parts. The first part of the letter says, “I am wondering how the traffic situation in Delhi on its roads will improve, no matter how much money is poured into it for improvement of roads and flyover infrastructure. First of all, one has to look at how the Traffic Police manages the traffic on the roads; there is a general impression of apathy.

“I say this looking to the traffic situation at Badarpur, which seems to be left to the God literally. There is Badarpur Police station right in the heart of the mess next to Jaitpur traffic crossing. And the private buses as well as the mini buses have a gala time using the T-Junction right at the traffic light as a parking lot in full view of the Police station, while the other vehicles jostle around for space to get across. And we do not see a single policeman trying to do anything about it.

“And at the Badarpur Border bus stand, the situation is no different. The buses can just stop anywhere; use the roadsides of the Mathura Road as a parking lot wherever they wish (even in the middle of the road). And a recent statement by Mr Qamar Ahmed in a section of the press (stating that they are tightening controls against the Blue Line drivers and will not allow them to break the discipline) is laughable.

“The buses can just do anything on the road, stop anywhere even in the middle of the road to pick up passengers, drive in the top lanes, jump traffic lights etc, we have the Delhi Traffic policemen turning a blind eye to all that. What does Mr Ahmed have to say to that?

“Secondly, one used to a see a board right at Badarpur border that HTV, MMV are not allowed to ply on Mathura Road and Mehrauli-Badarpur Road between 8-11 am in the mornings and 5-9 pm in the evenings. But that is not followed leading to chaos at these peak traffic hours. Have the rules been changed for the convenience of the commercial vehicle association?”

I will take up the Badarpur Border problem first. Recently I crossed that road and found that for the time being the border has been developed although temporarily although there’s a plan by NHAI to make a proper border and work will start soon. Even widening of the Mathura Road stretch is on cards.

Regarding the blue lines, according to a police official, Mr Ahmed has sent the word across his force that he will judge the progress of Traffic Inspectors by the way the blue line buses drive in their circles. Recently he found two blue line buses racing with each other and overtaking them. He immediately asked the traffic inspector to take action against these buses and pulled him up. Although I agree changes do happen but it takes time. Another fact is he cannot be present everywhere. So it should be the prerogative of his subordinates who can keep discipline on Delhi roads.

Monday, June 06, 2005

I received an anonymous mail saying, “Between 9.30 am and 10.30 am, on any working day, there are this special brand of bikers (all on any kind of two wheelers) who come hurtling down the Andrews Ganj flyover, from the South Ext. side towards Moolchand. At the base of the Flyover, they find the road jammed, as is always (in fact, the jam extends up the flyover too!) and then, because they can take a short cut through Defence Colony, they calmly take a U turn, face the oncoming traffic from South Ext. side, and, as though they have right of way, continue till they can enter Def ence colony from E block! Sometimes, there are our good old scooterists as well, and, occasionally a car or two.

“Why, Why do they get onto the Flyover, in the first place? And, hello, how about driving on the wrong side? Another area where these Maniacs abound is the Malviya Nagar, Shivalik, Geetanjali Road. All kinds of vehicles, including tractors and a small truck or so, think nothing of rushing down the wrong sides. Can these people be fined, heavily, on the spot? The sad part is that most of them look educated! (Whatever that means)”

Well, the problem of taking the wrong side is not anew in Delhi. And frequently the cops do fine such guys but I think cops should identify such spots in Delhi and should launch a drive to catch such offenders during peak hours. The rush hour in Delhi is maddening and be it civilised or educated people or uneducated class consisting of mostly cyclists, everybody is in a hurry. What they don’t realise is the danger that they are posing to the oncoming traffic. And even if they do then they think that: “Sab Chalta Hai!” Well sab nahin chalta. It’s better late then never.

Sunday, June 05, 2005

I received a mail from S.M. Hussain, who writes, “Recently, Delhi Government has beautified and modified many bus-stops in order to earn more revenue from advertisers. But no action has been taken by the Delhi Government or Delhi Police to streamline the traffic at these bus stops to help the commuters. The commuters are also to blame for the chaotic conditions at the bus stops because they never stand inside the shelters even in the hot weather. They occupy half of the road anxiously waiting for the buses. As a result, the buses either stop before or after the bus-shelters to avoid colliding with the passengers or auto-rickshaws parked waiting for commuters.

“The moment a bus arrives, the commuters rush towards it as if there is no tomorrow unmindful of children and women. To add to this problem, hawkers take the prime space at these bus stops. Though smoking is banned in public places in Delhi, it looks bus stops are exempted from it with people smoking cigarettes and beedis because they are easily available at the corner of the shelter. It is less said the better about the chaos at bus-shelters located immediately before and after the fly-overs.

“The buses stand at these shelters waiting for commuters unmindful of the traffic jams on the fly-overs. This defeats the purpose of the fly-overs at many places in South Delhi, especially at the South Extension, Moolchand and Modi-Mill. The Delhi Police should take strict action against the buses and autorickshaws standing at the bus stops and obstructing the smooth flow of traffic. Hawker should be removed from bus-shelters and the important bus stops should be manned by traffic police for smooth flow of traffic. People should also inculcate the habit of standing inside the shelters and not on the road and should shun those buses that refuse to stand in front of the bus stop.”

Old habits die hard. Whatever the government does to improve DTC bus shelters, people won’t improve. For them only conditions improve. For a hawker, it’ll mean better place to sit and a change in landscape of the area, for commuters, it’ll be a clean and developed pavement as well as part of the road space that he occupies. The only losers on the road are the commuters who travel by their own conveyance. You can’t blame the cops also as MCD (Most Corrupt Department!) does nothing to remove these hawkers. Instead, they are a source of earning for the MCD babus. As far as the traffic police are concerned, they are already short of staff. What will happen to traffic on intersections if they are posted on bus stops? So it is for we the people to have some civic and road sense to improve conditions in Delhi.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

I received a mail from Sandip Nayak who writes, “Lord of the Link (published on Monday’s edition), the story on the Hanuman statue, is well done. But I had not expected from you at least to ignore collateral menace accompanying religious places. Traffic menace being the major woe. I am afraid, once the statue and temple etc is complete, the menace we see at Sai Baba temple, Lodhi Road would be pale in comparison.

“India is a country where you can summon god and cage him at the most inconvenient of places like traffic island, footpath, government land, to name a few. They haven't spared even the footpath outside the Parliament and just outside the main gate of Nirvachan Sadan at the heart of the Republic of India.

“And how did we think that the God would be happy being summoned at the central verge of the busy Mathura Road near Badarpur? In fact, most of the temples and shrines nurtured at the roadside and on public land are a source of livelihood for some wandering beggars. Once it comes up, forget about eviction, you can raise a few brick walls and rent it out as shops. We must end this public display of religion, rather this traffic disrupting and land-grabbing sects. There can never be any double standard regarding faith.”

I truly agree with you Sandip about your comments on the above topic. I truly support you on this, but you are not justified when you talk about this particular temple, as it existed much before even Link Road came into existence. I agree the collateral menace will accompany once the construction is complete. But we can do little about this. Only expect Delhiites visiting this temple to have some civic sense and not park the vehicles alongside the busy Link Road.