Plan to 'right' ITO mess

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

As the government is yet to take a final decision on a decongestion plan for the busy ITO crossing, the traffic police are initiating
a change in circulation of traffic flow in the area. Starting Wednesday, right turns from the both the intersections leading from Tilak Marg to Mandi House will be banned during the evening rush hour. Also, the signal cycle at the main ITO crossing has been redone.

A survey of movement of vehicles at the intersection revealed that a majority of the traffic at the main ITO crossing is from central to east vehicles come from Tilak Marg or Sikandra Road and turn right towards Vikas Marg.

As the waiting time for this traffic is high, it leads to a pile-up at the crossing which often stretches beyond Tilak bridge to the next intersection. To reduce this delay, the traffic police have decided to increase the green time in the signal cycle for these vehicles from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

"The new traffic circulation plan has been planned to reduce the waiting time at ITO crossing. People using the stretch can give their suggestions or lodge complaints at the 24-hour traffic police helpline at 23010101,'' said SN Shrivastava, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

During the evening rush hour, it was observed that very few vehicles turn right towards Mandi House roundabout from both the signals on Tilak Marg. A decision has been taken to block right turns from the Tilak Marg-Sikandra Road and Tilak Marg-Bhagwan Dass Road crossings. Traffic coming from ITO crossing and beyond can turn right from the first intersection onto Mathura road and take a right turn towards Bhagwan Dass Road from the first traffic light to reach Mandi House roundabout.

The right turn on the Tilak Marg-Sikandra Road crossing was closed for traffic a few years ago too to facilitate construction of the Delhi Metro line from Barakhamba Road to Indraprastha stations. At that time, however, traffic was allowed to move right on the Tilak Marg-Bhagwan Dass Road crossing to reach Mandi House