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!