Delhi roads to be built up with international technology

Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009

All roads in the national capital will be built up using international technology before the beginning of 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG), Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Rajkumar Chauhan said Tuesday.

"Special attention is being paid to the roads which are around the places where the games would be held," Chauhan said, while inaugurating the work using "recycling and micro surfacing method" in south Delhi.

"A total of 242 km of Delhi roads are being built up with the new technique, which will cost around Rs.2 billion (Rs.200 crore)," he added. The work will be finished by June 2010.

In the recycling method, about 70 per cent of the available material in the road is used and only about 30 per cent material is added to fill the gaps that occur due to wear and tear and atmospheric action on the road over a period of time.

"It is purely an eco-friendly technique and consumes less material. The thickness raised is only 10 to 15 mm. Life of such treated roads is claimed to be 5 to 7 years," Chauhan said, according to an official statement here.

In micro surfacing technique, cold bitumen emulsion is mixed with fine stone aggregates whose mix is then spread over minor cracks in the road surface.

"Life of the road by this method is increased to 2-3 years. In this technology, the thickness added to the existing surface is almost nil. The roads built by micro surfacing will be waterproof," the statement cited the minister as saying.

Original news source http://blog.taragana.com/n/delhi-roads-to-be-built-up-with-international-technology-180667/

Indian government to use Facebook, Twitter to curb road accidents

Monday, Sep 28, 2009

Social networking sites Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and even blogs will be made use of by the Indian government to spread the message of safe driving, transport officials said Monday.

"For generating mass awareness about road safety, apart from using traditional media tools, modern web-based social networking tools will be used to spread knowledge of road safety," K.K. Kapila, vice chairman of the International Road Federation (IRF), said in a statement.

We have developed videos on safe driving and other aspects of road safety. We plan to put them up on YouTube to cater to the growing number of people whose first choice to find information is to go online, Kapila added.

India's road transport and highways ministry and IRF last week launched a national campaign to reduce road accidents by 50 percent by 2012.

Road safety is a community effort. We will seek additional ideas on tackling areas like aggressive driving, drug-driving as well as continuing to look for new approaches to saving lives by targeting speed and young drivers, Kapila said.

The ministry says over 100,000 people are killed in road accidents in India every year. On an average, 313 persons die every day on Indian roads — and this number is on the rise.

India accounts for nearly 10 percent of 1.3 million road accident deaths worldwide each year.

Original news source http://blog.taragana.com/n/india-to-use-facebook-twitter-to-curb-road-accidents-second-lead-180291/

Behind BRT, trail of signal failure

Friday, Sep 25, 2009

Even before lane segregation is enforced, driving through Pilot B of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor from Moolchand to Delhi Gate has become a pain for motorists several traffic signals on the way have not been functioning since December last year. Since Mathura Road and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg are busy arteries, the situation at the intersections is chaotic even during non-peak hours. The traffic police say the signals are being redone for BRT.

Home minister P Chidambaram's remarks on making Delhi, particularly its roads, safer don't seem to hold much meaning for the officials as just four out of 11 signals on the entire stretch are functioning, exposing pedestrians and motorists alike to a huge risk. Since mid-2008 when Delhi government decided to shift the bus lanes to the extreme left in Pilot B and also alter the signalling system of the under-construction corridor accordingly, only four of the 11 signals on the stretch have been redone.

At three other important intersections Delhi Gate, ITO and Mathura Road-Tilak Marg crossings the old signals are still working. At the rest of the intersections, half the signal poles have been uprooted even as their replacements are yet to come. At other intersections like the one near Pragati Maidan freshly painted new signal poles have been put up, but the LED lights are missing.

The signal near Khooni Darwaza has not been working for almost a year now. This has been pointed out by TOI earlier too but to no avail. "There is a U-turn at the crossing that leads to office buildings on BSZ Marg. The signal has not been working for almost one year now because of which the crossing has become highly prone to accidents. Hardly ever is a policeman posted there,'' said Suresh Das, a regular commuter, who works in one of the buildings,

The scene is equally chaotic at the traffic signal near Delhi Zoo. In the morning, there is a rush of vehicles going towards central Delhi from south Delhi. "Every other day, there is a logjam at the crossing as cars come from all over and there is no one to regulate the traffic,'' said Meenakshi Verma, an advocate and resident of Babar Road.

The custodians of the signals, Delhi Traffic Police, say they are fed up with the situation. "The work to redo the signals was awarded to CMS Limited, who were earlier looking after these signals when the road was not under BRT. The company has been really slow. In fact, we have raised the issue and even threatened to impose heavy penalties. But the pace of work has not improved,'' said a senior traffic police officer.

The company has reportedly been paid an advance of Rs 17.5 lakh already, which is about 25 per cent of the total cost of the project of Rs 70 lakh. The signals in question were installed and are being maintained by the same firm which had entered into a contract with Delhi Traffic Police to maintain signals in the city for nearly 20 years.

The way those who run the city are turning a blind eye to so many signals not functioning and are exposing people to danger daily is quite baffling. And how can the traffic cops, who so often carry out safety drives, plead helplessness is equally inexplicable. Is anyone listening?

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/Behind-BRT-trail-of-signal-failure/articleshow/5052892.cms

Blueline buses will be off Delhi roads by March 2010: officials

Thursday, Sep 24, 2009

In the run up to next year's Commonwealth Games, the Delhi government has started procuring low floor CNG buses and all blueline buses - the privately-run services which have acquired a reputation of being 'killer' buses - will go off the capital's roads by March 2010, an official said Thursday.

'We have received 50 low floor buses in September and every month thereafter we are likely to receive more. As the fleet of DTC buses is increasing, we are phasing out blueline buses. This month itself, 150 blueline buses went off the capital's roads,' Delhi Transport Commissioner R.K. Verma told reporters.

According to Verma, there are now 2,700 blueline buses plying on various routes in the national capital compared to 5,500 in 2007 when their phasing out started.

'Our aim is to provide better public transport facilities to the people during the Commonwealth Games and by October 2010, Delhi will have 11,000 buses and 5,000 radio taxis. Besides, over 500 special buses will be procured to ferry the players and other officials during the games,' said Verma.

The Delhi government has also identified 35 points across the capital from where dedicated buses for the games and shuttle services will run to the games' venues.

'To avoid massive jams during the games, no private vehicles will be allowed near the games venue and we have identified 30 parking places, where people can park their vehicles and take public transport from the parking areas to the venues,' said Verma.

Verma said the Delhi government is already in talks with several companies to start a smart card based ticketing service during the games.

'The smart card can be used both for travelling in Delhi metro and buses. The buses will have automated ticketing machines and fare will be detected by punching the smart card,' he said.

To provide fool proof security to the players during the games, the Delhi government has outlined a dedicated games corridor.

'The corridor planned from the games village to the venues will remain closed to the public when players will be travelling - while going and coming back from the events - and rest of the time it will be open for the public,' he said.

Original news source http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?a=jjyt4hddjbf&title=Blueline_buses_will_be_off_Delhi_roads_by_March_2010_officials

Polls in states, snarls in capital

Saturday, Sep 19, 2009

With Haryana Bhavan and Maharashtra Bhavan abuzz with aspirants waiting to get tickets for the forthcoming assembly elections in the two states, driving through Copernicus Marg and Mandi House has become a nightmare. Unauthorized parking on the main road have lead to traffic chaos.

As the road forms an important connect between central Delhi areas like Connaught Place, Barakhamba Road and Kasturba Gandhi Marg and India Gate there is heavy traffic on Mandi House roundabout and on Copernicus Marg.

"I have been getting stuck in huge jams near Mandi House everyday since the past few days. Reaching Connaught Place from India Gate has become a hassle as the traffic police has enforced some diversions in the area and the main Copernicus Marg remains jammed,'' said Kunal Seth, a businessman.

"First, it was the iftar parties at the VIP residences and now it's the elections. How can the city be held to ransom like this. And that too in an area where so many people come to work everyday,'' said Kritika Duggal, an engineer working in one of the buildings on Barakhamba Road.

The traffic police contend that instructions have already been issued to the ground staff to ensure that vehicles are not parked haphazardly on the main road. "We are aware of the problem and are in the process of sorting it out. Strict action is being taken against those parking their vehicles in an unauthorized manner on the main road,'' said a senior traffic police officer.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/Polls-in-states-snarls-in-capital/articleshow/5028646.cms

Wait no more, BRT corridor to see new light

Friday, Sep 18, 2009

For those stuck every day in an endless wait for the traffic lights to turn green at the Chirag Dilli flyover along the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, here's some good news.

In an effort to reduce the waiting time — which during peaks hours can be as long as ten minutes on places like Chirag Dilli junction — the Delhi Integrated Multimodal Transit system (DIMTS) is setting up an Intelligent Traffic Management system which will be smart enough to gauge the traffic situation and direct signals to function accordingly.

Explaining the concept, a senior Delhi government official said: "If there is less traffic on two arms of the point, while the other two are heavily jammed, the installed sensors will send a signal to traffic lights, switching the cycle."

There are 20 signal points along the 14.5 km BRT stretch between Ambedkar Nagar and Delhi Gate. The signals installed by CMS are currently run manually during peak traffic hours and automatically during lean hours — like the rest of the city.

"Traffic signals on the corridor will work in coordination, reducing waiting time along the stretch," he added.

Since the BRT is conceptualised around prioritising public transport, officials said the signals will be designed to give priority to buses. The waiting time for these will be the least.

The entire system will be monitored by a central control centre.

Officials added that the control room will also help track violators jumping signals and driving in wrong lanes. While government vehicles are reportedly the biggest violators along the corridor, driving in the wrong lanes, penalty for the violation is Rs 500.

"Through a network of CCTV cameras to be installed as part of the system, we will be able to track violators and send their details directly to the traffic police," the official added.

Siemens — the firm hired to develop the system for the entire corridor — will replace the existing traffic signals along the corridor and install sensors and pedestrian signals.

Original news source http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/wait-no-more-brt-corridor-to-see-new-light/518464/

Bhairon Road stretch to be widened

Thursday, Sep 17, 2009

In a move which could bring huge relief to the commuters using Bhairon Road that connects Ring road with Mathura Road, Delhi government has given nod to widening of this stretch. The project, planned with keeping the Commonwealth Games 2010 in mind, will cost Rs 9 crore. Government believes the link will be crucial for smooth traffic between Commonwealth Games Village in east Delhi and Major Dhyan Chand Stadium (National Stadium) in central Delhi.

Widening of the road would also improve traffic flow to Indira Gandhi Indoor (IGI) stadium. The stretch has Pragati Maidan on one side and Old Fort on the other.

An senior official said the work on this one kilometre stretch would start in November. It is likely to be completed by Public Words Department (PWD) within eight months.

As per the plan, existing Bhairon Marg would become one-way with 4-lane on both sides and it would cater to motorists who, while coming from Mathura Road, take a turn from Bhairon Road junction towards Ring Road. For traffic heading towards Mathura Road from Ring Road, the existing semi-circular road behind Pragati Maidan bus depot would be developed into a four-lane carriageway.

"This will provide much relief to the commuters. The facelift and improved traffic circulation plan is not just crucial for Games. It has already become a necessity for better mobility on this stretch,'' a senior PWD official said.

Officials said the existing subway and underpass would be integrated for pedestrian use and this area would have tall bamboo trees. "The subway will be redesigned to make it disable-friendly. The entire area will be developed as green site. Both sides will have separate cycle tracks and pathways,'' the official added. The stretch would also get decorative road furniture including benches.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/Bhairon-Road-stretch-to-be-widened/articleshow/5020031.cms

Subway work set to shrink CP

Tuesday, Sep 16, 2009

From October onwards , get ready to face shrinking road space in Connaught Place. New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is planning to construct eight subways in Outer Circle for which it will need road space. So it is planning to convert a six lane road into three lanes to allow work to be carried out on a particular stretch. It also has plans to construct two to three subways simultaneously , depending on the traffic situation.

Moreover, the fact that NDMC wants to complete this work in time for Commonwealth Games 2010 means that it will have to construct more than one subway at a time. At present, facade restoration work on 16 blocks is going on in Connaught Place and this has already eaten into footpaths making it a task for pedestrians to walk around the area. While the parking situation has been more or less resolved, the traders of the area are not too happy with this move claiming that their business has gone down by 20-25 % since facade restoration work began.

The traders held a meeting with NDMC on Tuesday over the redevelopment plan of CP in which construction of subways was included. The traders said that they were opposed to the idea of too many things being taken up at once and would take up the matter again with NDMC on Friday.

The eight subways that will come up in the Outer Circle will include one each near Super Bazar, Minto Road, State Entry Road, Chelmsford Road, Sher Bhagat Singh Marg, and two each at Punchkuian Road and Barakhamba Road on both sides of the Metro Line. These subways will be disabledfriendly and will have escalators . The total cost of this project is Rs 35 crore.

Said Atul Bhargav, general secretary of the New Delhi Traders Association: Business has already been affected by the ongoing facade restoration work. We have seen a dip of 20-25 %. Till the work of restoring facade is not completed, no new work should be taken up. There is heavy traffic flow on Outer Ring Road at any time of the day. It is the commercial hub of Delhi and many offices are located here.

Said an NDMC official: Some amount of disruption is bound to happen when construction work takes place. Like the Metro, we too will divert traffic and will make the six lane road into a three lane stretch. We will take up work on more than one site simultaneously . We are already in talks with the traffic police on this matter. We are making an underpass at Shanti Path using box-pushing technology where a concrete box is lowered through an opening and is pushed ahead to make a tunnel which doesnt require too much road cutting but we need more space to use this technology which is just not available in Connaught Place.

Senior traffic officials said that while they had no information on this plan, shrinking of road space would lead to traffic disruption.

Meanwhile, the subways were supposed to sport modern designs and CCTV cameras will also be installed in them. Besides this, it will be linked to the cooling mechanism to be installed in CP. NDMC also plans to upgrade the existing four subways in CP area.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/Subway-work-set-to-shrink-CP/articleshow/5016850.cms

Traffic signals: Light at the end of tunnel

Friday, Sep 04, 2009

After months of braving chaos at intersections where traffic signals have stopped working an average of 90 across the city there is finally respite. Delhi traffic police has invited a tender for maintenance of signals and blinkers, and this time, the contract includes stringent penalty clauses for non-performance. The contract of the existing companies end in the first week of October.

The tender, published on August 29, is for maintenance of 725 traffic signals and 424 blinkers for the next two years. It will also cover installation of new signals and blinkers. As for the 220 signals which are going to be fitted with intelligent traffic signals (ITS) before the Commonwealth Games, the agreement with the contractors will be amended to include maintenance of them as well.

After the recent downpours, over 130 traffic signals stopped working in the city, leading to complete chaos. The traffic police have now redone the contract clauses to prevent a repeat of the present chaos once the new contracts come into effect. The new agreement sets a time frame for repair of signals all minor fault should be rectified within six hours of receipt of complaints while all major repairs and replacement work will be carried out within two days.

If any traffic signal remains non-functional for over five days, the traffic police will not pay maintenance charge for that signal. Thereafter, a penalty of Rs 500 will be charged. Even after a work contract is awarded, delays will not be tolerated. The contractor will have to finish the assigned work within a stipulated time. Delays will call for a penalty of 10% of total bill for first 7 days and 20% thereafter.

The new contract will have a clause to ensure that contractors are not paid for cable faults and damages to controllers due to short circuits. They will be asked to fit good quality auto cut devices.

The traffic police will regularly review performance of contractors and will terminate contracts and even blacklist companies if performance is not upto the mark. For proper monitoring, the contractor will have to install a computerised fault monitoring system.

Said S N Shrivastava, joint commissioner of police (traffic): "We are trying to improve functioning of traffic signals and ensure proper monitoring. The penalty clauses in the contract have been made stringent.''

Article sourced from timesofindia.indiatimes.com at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/Traffic-signals-Light-at-the-end-of-tunnel/articleshow/4969293.cms

Nearly 150,000 traffic violators booked in Delhi

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009

Nearly 150,000 people were fined for violating traffic rules in the national capital in a fortnight, highest number of drivers being booked for jumping the red light, police said Wednesday.

A total of 145,914 tickets were issued during Safe Pedestrian Crossing Fortnight Aug 17-31.

Of those, 26,669 were fined for jumping the red light, 24,234 were fined for parking at improper places, 12,156 were 'challaned' (fined) for dangerous driving, 4,954 for jaywalking, and 8,495 were booked for crossing the stop-lines, a traffic police official said.

There was a sharp decline in road accidents, both fatal and simple as compared to the same period last year and the previous fortnight (Aug 2-16, 2009), the official added.

The official said that pedestrians accounted for over half of the deaths in road accidents in Delhi. In 2008, Delhi recorded 2,088 deaths due to accidents. Of these, 1,075, were pedestrians.

Article sourced from http://blog.taragana.com at http://blog.taragana.com/n/nearly-150000-traffic-violators-booked-in-delhi-157537/