S.M. Hussain, a regular contributor of this column, had earlier written to me about the problems faced by nearby residents due to the presence of Container depot in Tughlaqabad. Recently, Delhi Traffic Police has enforced new restrictions regarding movement of trailers in the Capital. Well, it’s a welcome move, but Hussain has some problems with it saying, “Recently, the Delhi Traffic Police have enforced restrictions on the movement of trailers carrying loaded/unloaded containers to reduce congestion on roads. From July 1, all trailers coming to Container Depot in Tughlakabad will have to enter and exit only through Badarpur Border and will not be permitted to enter Delhi from other borders-Singhu, Tikri, Kapashera, Ghazipur and Kalindi Kunj.

“I have already written in these columns about traffic congestion and other difficulties faced by the residents in the colonies located near the Container Depot. The worst affected are Suraj Apartments, Lal Kuan, Pul Pehladpur, Charmwood (Eros Garden), Railway Colony and the traffic on Mehrauli-Badarpur Road. Since the Depot does not have much space, these containers are parked on the main M.B. Road, occupying 2/3rd of the road, leaving just one carriageway.

“Moreover, the containers are parked in a very haphazard manner, some of them even carrying protruding iron-rods in a very precarious manner. In spite of a number of accidents and altercations, no action has been taken by Delhi Police to remove these containers. Of late, Container Depot has taken over all available space in the nearby areas like parks, Tughlak Fort and also the stretch linking Okhla Industrial Area with M.B. Road to park containers.

“One wonders, how Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has allowed these containers to encroach upon the protected historical Tughlak fort. These containers have become eye sore in front of the majestic Fort. It takes a minimum of one hour to cross a distance of few kilometres from Tughlakabad to Badarpur Border during peak hours if one has not met with an accident. Already people in these areas are living in fear of perennial traffic congestion. They are wondering what would happen from July 1, when all trailers coming to Container Depot in Tughlakabad will have to enter and exit only through Badarpur Border.

“This move will not only congest the whole area from Badarpur Border to Batra Hospital. Badarpur Border is notorious for its traffic jams. The recent order of the Delhi Traffic Police will affect even the traffic on Mathura Road. There will be serpentine traffic jams from Badarpur to Sarita Vihar. The only solution to solve this containers menace is to shift the Container Depot to Dadri Depot since it has been upgraded with all infrastructural facilities for customs and cargo and office of transporters.”

I don’t know whether situation will be as grave as you apprehend as only the trailers coming from north India are allowed to come to Tuglakabad. Rest have to go to Dadri depot. Regarding the trailers stationed on Mehrauli-Badarpur road, yes I agree, it’s a menace for all. But let us wait and watch. Maybe the volume of trailers entering Delhi will reduce and situation gets better, because this decision of Delhi Traffic Police is a well thought one.