Monday, March 29, 2010
Hundreds of cycle rickshaw pullers Monday staged a rally in the capital demanding more road space for the non-motorised, eco-friendly vehicle.
Unmindful of the scorching heat, the rickshaw pullers along with social activists walked around three kilometers from the parade ground opposite Red Fort to Raj Ghat, raising slogans like "Promote rickshaws, don't ban them".
Madhu Purnima Kishwar, president of the NGO Manushi Sangathan, said: "As rickshaw is the only transport which is non-polluting, inexpensive and sustainable public transport available to tourists and public, we demand that licences should be made available to them just like motorized vehicles."
Separate tracks for non-motorized vehicles as per the mandate of the Delhi Master Plan and putting an immediate stop to arbitrary penalties, extortionist bribes and harassment by the traffic police and municipal authorities were the other demands put forth by the rickshaw pullers.
The NGO also expressed happiness over the high court's decision to monitor on a monthly basis the working of the special task force which reviews the flow of traffic, vehicle registration and makes recommendations.
"Cycle rickshaws, hand-carts and other non-motorized vehicles should be treated as an integral part of Delhi's transport system and their use should be encouraged," said Ramesh, a rickshaw puller, who participated in the rally.
Flagging off the rally, former director general of Punjab police, KPS Gill said: "Cycle rickshaws and street vendors helped us defeat terrorism in Punjab by acting as the eyes and ears of the police because they are street smart."
"Police should befriend them instead of being hostile to them," he added.
Original news source http://blog.taragana.com/law/2010/03/29/cycle-rickshaw-pullers-demand-more-road-space-21116/
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Another BRT mishap: 2 traffic cops hurt
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Accidents continue to be the order of the day in BRT corridor. Barely minutes after a call centre executive was killed in a mishap, an assistant sub-inspector and a constable of Delhi traffic police were injured when they were hit by a speeding Indica car in BRT corridor on Friday.
Sources said the ASI, Naresh Kumar (50), suffered grievous injuries. He was rushed to AIIMS where his condition was stated to be critical. "The two, who were going to Saket, could not note down the registration number of the Indica," said a police officer at the GK police station.
Earlier, Satyendra Narayan (39), who worked with a call centre, was killed in an accident at the same spot while returning to his house near Malviya Nagar. "He was coming from Moolchand and was hit by a vehicle. Minutes later, a Bullet bike was seen lying in the corridor. Two policemen who were riding the bike were taken to a hospital," said Ramesh Kumar, who was near the accident spot when accidents took place.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Another-BRT-mishap-2-traffic-cops-hurt/articleshow/5733417.cms
Accidents continue to be the order of the day in BRT corridor. Barely minutes after a call centre executive was killed in a mishap, an assistant sub-inspector and a constable of Delhi traffic police were injured when they were hit by a speeding Indica car in BRT corridor on Friday.
Sources said the ASI, Naresh Kumar (50), suffered grievous injuries. He was rushed to AIIMS where his condition was stated to be critical. "The two, who were going to Saket, could not note down the registration number of the Indica," said a police officer at the GK police station.
Earlier, Satyendra Narayan (39), who worked with a call centre, was killed in an accident at the same spot while returning to his house near Malviya Nagar. "He was coming from Moolchand and was hit by a vehicle. Minutes later, a Bullet bike was seen lying in the corridor. Two policemen who were riding the bike were taken to a hospital," said Ramesh Kumar, who was near the accident spot when accidents took place.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Another-BRT-mishap-2-traffic-cops-hurt/articleshow/5733417.cms
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
This year no new flyovers
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
It seems Delhi has built too many new flyovers in the run-up to the Games. That's why, no new flyover has been sanctioned in the budget 2010-11 except the revived Signature Bridge project on Yamuna with an investment of Rs 1131 crore.
In his budget speech, finance minister AK Walia said work on the bridge will start soon and work on the access roads for the bridge, including a flyover on Outer Ring Road at Wazirabad, is already in progress. He added that all crucial road projects, including Barapulla Nallah, Ring Road bypass and Ghazipur flyover, will be completed before the Games. The government claimed to have invested Rs 5,646 crore on 26 flyovers and on overbridges and underbridgers for rail and road.
For a city that has earned the dubious distinction of a high number of pedestrian deaths on roads, the minister said a 'massive' programme for construction of foot overbridges (FOBs) has been undertaken.
Government claimed while 31 such foot overbridges have already been completed, 26 more will be operational before the Games.
Walia claimed that parking lots over Kushak nallah, Sunehri Bagh nallah and DPS Mathura Road nallah will be completed before the Games. Another massive parking lot is coming up close to IP power station along Ring Road. The total cost of these projects is estimated to be Rs 473 crore.
Similarly, the ongoing streetlight work worth Rs 198 crore will be completed before the Games, he asserted.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/This-year-no-new-flyovers/articleshow/5713630.cms
PWD plans parking under flyovers
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Public Works Department (PWD) is planning to build parking lots under flyovers along busy markets to help check on-road parking. The first such parking lots will come up below the flyovers built over Nelson Mandela crossing in Munirka, Azadpur and Naraina.
"Since there is enough space below these flyovers, we plan to convert the space into parking lots. The modalities for executing the parking plan will be sorted out in the near future. We have not yet calculated how many cars can be accommodated in these parking lots,'' said PWD engineer-in-chief Rakesh Mishra.
The move will not only ensure maintenance of the open space below the flyovers but will also help control on-road parking along these commercial areas and thereby improving the traffic flow on those stretches. Earlier, PWD had planned to maintain all the space below flyovers by carrying out landscaping.
"There is no parking place in Munirka market and, hence, vehicles are seen parked on the road and this affects smooth flow of traffic. Once space is provided for parking, things will improve,'' said a traffic police personnel.
The PWD has also finalized the design for three foot overbridges (FOBs) to be built on Outer Ring Road between IIT flyover and Rao Tularam Marg for safe passage of pedestrians. "We will invite bids for all the three FOBs soon and hope to complete the work by June end,'' said PWD principal chief engineer A K Sinha.
On Wednesday, chief minister Sheila Dikshit, accompanied by PWD minister Raj Kumar Chauhan had formally inaugurated the Nelson Mandela flyover at Munirka, built at a cost of with Rs 104 crore investment. Chauhan had earlier thrown the stretch open to traffic after work on it was completed. The flyover is built over Vivekananda Marg-Nelson Mandela Marg and Poorvi Marg intersections on Outer Ring Road (ORR).
The ORR is an important intra-urban arterial for Delhi. The DDA, in the Perspective Development Plan, has defined the entire corridor as a high speed-high arterial road with partial or complete access control. The ORR stretch, between IIT Gate and NH-8, caters to a sizeable volume of traffic. Over two lakh vehicles pass through this stretch everyday.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/PWD-plans-parking-under-flyovers/articleshow/5709671.cms
Gurgaon to have intelligent traffic system
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Police in Gurgaon plan to install liquid crystal display (LCD) screens at major intersections as part of an IT-driven system to streamline road traffic during the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
'The screens will provide information about traffic at the next intersection, alternative routes and parking lots. This is part of the Intelligent Trffic System (ITS),' Police Commissioner S.S. Deswal said Sunday.
A traffic police official said that 'itelligent' traffic lights and variable message signs (VMS) would be the focus of the system.
'Currently, we have traffic signals with prefixed timings. In the intelligent signalling, there will be sensors fixed on roads which would read the volume of traffic on the road on the basis of which the signals would turn green and red,' he said.
Also, the system will have a device to scan registration number plates.
'With this we can know whether the vehicle has been used in any criminal activity. Data of such vehicles will already be stored in the device,' the official said.
The major intersections where the ITS is likely to be installed are Shankar Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Rajeev Chowk, Golf Course road, the road that leads to CWG venue and the Gurgaon-Faridabad road.
Original news source http://sify.com/finance/gurgaon-to-have-intelligent-traffic-system-news-default-kdvq4cbfage.html
Monday, March 22, 2010
Post created to Test the setup of ScribeFire
Today I have set up ScribeFire with Parkheavens News blog. This post is created to Test the setup.
How external image is inserted in blog
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Nod for another Connaught Place subway
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Three other subway plans rejected in view of traffic complications
These would be taken up in a phased manner only after the Commonwealth Games
Of the four subways in Connaught Place whose construction by the New Delhi Municipal Council as part of the redevelopment project had been temporarily put on the backburner following Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna's directions, the subway at Chelmsford Road was given the go-ahead by the Delhi Traffic Police this past week.
The plan for the remaining subways to come up at Minto Road, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg and opposite Halidrams in Outer Circle has been rejected by the traffic police for now given the anticipated traffic complications in Connaught Place. These would now be taken up in a phased manner only after the Commonwealth Games, according to the traffic police.
But given that the civic body is at present already undertaking construction of four subways in Connaught Place and each phase of subway construction takes nearly 240 days, completing all of them before the Commonwealth Games in October as planned seems unlikely.
The NDMC had begun construction work of eight subways in December last year as part of its ambitious project for re-development of Connaught Place but the ensuing traffic jams and congestion causing inconvenience to both commuters and local traders had prompted the Lieutenant-Governor's intervention in the matter.
As per his guidelines, the NDMC, the New Delhi Traders' Association and the traffic police had been directed to organise joint meetings and spot inspections to work out an amicable solution while ensuring minimal traffic disturbance.
Following their consultations with the Lieutenant-Governor, it was decided to put construction of four of the eight new subways on hold while allowing construction to continue on the rest four where digging work had already begun. The latter comprised two subways each at Barakhamba Road and Panchkuian Road connecting the Outer Circle with the Inner Circle.
Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chaddha said: "Given the existing traffic and space constraints in Connaught Place, clearing one more subway was the maximum we could do. We had carried out trials at both Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg and Chelmsford Road but encountered traffic management problems at the former due to space constraints and increased traffic pile up at Baba Kharak Singh Marg. Therefore permission was granted by us for subway construction at Chelmsford Road only."
An NDMC official said: "We have received the letter from the traffic police giving us permission to go ahead with the construction of subway at Chelmsford Road. So now in all we have five subways under construction and would try our best to complete them before the Games."
Meanwhile traders in Connaught Place have expressed their reservations about the civic body taking on additional work given the tight deadline. NDTA president Atul Bharghav said: "The NDMC is already constructing four subways which are far from any stage of completion but on top of that they have now taken on work for one more subway. Instead they should have made it a priority to complete what they have in hand first before taking on more work. With manpower shortage and a tight deadline the pace of work is bound to suffer so additional construction work should have been avoided."
Original news source http://common-wealth-games-2010.blogspot.com/2010/03/nod-for-another-connaught-place-subway.html
Three other subway plans rejected in view of traffic complications
These would be taken up in a phased manner only after the Commonwealth Games
Of the four subways in Connaught Place whose construction by the New Delhi Municipal Council as part of the redevelopment project had been temporarily put on the backburner following Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna's directions, the subway at Chelmsford Road was given the go-ahead by the Delhi Traffic Police this past week.
The plan for the remaining subways to come up at Minto Road, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg and opposite Halidrams in Outer Circle has been rejected by the traffic police for now given the anticipated traffic complications in Connaught Place. These would now be taken up in a phased manner only after the Commonwealth Games, according to the traffic police.
But given that the civic body is at present already undertaking construction of four subways in Connaught Place and each phase of subway construction takes nearly 240 days, completing all of them before the Commonwealth Games in October as planned seems unlikely.
The NDMC had begun construction work of eight subways in December last year as part of its ambitious project for re-development of Connaught Place but the ensuing traffic jams and congestion causing inconvenience to both commuters and local traders had prompted the Lieutenant-Governor's intervention in the matter.
As per his guidelines, the NDMC, the New Delhi Traders' Association and the traffic police had been directed to organise joint meetings and spot inspections to work out an amicable solution while ensuring minimal traffic disturbance.
Following their consultations with the Lieutenant-Governor, it was decided to put construction of four of the eight new subways on hold while allowing construction to continue on the rest four where digging work had already begun. The latter comprised two subways each at Barakhamba Road and Panchkuian Road connecting the Outer Circle with the Inner Circle.
Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chaddha said: "Given the existing traffic and space constraints in Connaught Place, clearing one more subway was the maximum we could do. We had carried out trials at both Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg and Chelmsford Road but encountered traffic management problems at the former due to space constraints and increased traffic pile up at Baba Kharak Singh Marg. Therefore permission was granted by us for subway construction at Chelmsford Road only."
An NDMC official said: "We have received the letter from the traffic police giving us permission to go ahead with the construction of subway at Chelmsford Road. So now in all we have five subways under construction and would try our best to complete them before the Games."
Meanwhile traders in Connaught Place have expressed their reservations about the civic body taking on additional work given the tight deadline. NDTA president Atul Bharghav said: "The NDMC is already constructing four subways which are far from any stage of completion but on top of that they have now taken on work for one more subway. Instead they should have made it a priority to complete what they have in hand first before taking on more work. With manpower shortage and a tight deadline the pace of work is bound to suffer so additional construction work should have been avoided."
Original news source http://common-wealth-games-2010.blogspot.com/2010/03/nod-for-another-connaught-place-subway.html
ITO bridge is closed for repairs
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Daily commuters on the ITO bridge faced inconvenience as two lanes from ITO to Vikas Marg have been closed for traffic till March 22 due to replacement of Gate no. 21, 22 and 29 at the Yamuna Barrage, ITO Bridge.
The orders to close the two lanes have been undertaken by the Delhi Traffic Police. The lanes were ordered to close from midnight on Thursday and will open around 2 pm on March 22. "We request motorists to take Nizamuddin Bridge and Shanti Van Bridge routes to cross the Yamuna," said DCP, Delhi Traffic Police (central range) Suvashish Chaudhary.
However, there was chaos on the Nizamuddin Bridge on Saturday due to extra traffic. "There is an ongoing construction work at the Nizamuddin Bridge due to which commuters were facing traffic problems, and a diversion of traffic from ITO has added to the problem," said Sushil Kumar, who was stuck in a traffic jam at the Nizamuddin Bridge.
Original news source http://www.asianage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6256:ito-bridge-is-closed-for-repairs-&catid=45:delhi&Itemid=74
Daily commuters on the ITO bridge faced inconvenience as two lanes from ITO to Vikas Marg have been closed for traffic till March 22 due to replacement of Gate no. 21, 22 and 29 at the Yamuna Barrage, ITO Bridge.
The orders to close the two lanes have been undertaken by the Delhi Traffic Police. The lanes were ordered to close from midnight on Thursday and will open around 2 pm on March 22. "We request motorists to take Nizamuddin Bridge and Shanti Van Bridge routes to cross the Yamuna," said DCP, Delhi Traffic Police (central range) Suvashish Chaudhary.
However, there was chaos on the Nizamuddin Bridge on Saturday due to extra traffic. "There is an ongoing construction work at the Nizamuddin Bridge due to which commuters were facing traffic problems, and a diversion of traffic from ITO has added to the problem," said Sushil Kumar, who was stuck in a traffic jam at the Nizamuddin Bridge.
Original news source http://www.asianage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6256:ito-bridge-is-closed-for-repairs-&catid=45:delhi&Itemid=74
Friday, March 19, 2010
Ramjas no to road widening for Games
Thursday , Mar 18, 2010
The beautification of roads for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games is likely to hit a hurdle on Delhi University campus as Ramjas College has refused to surrender its land for widening of the pavement on Sudhir Bose Marg. The college principal has now written to the lieutenant-governor informing him that the governing body was withdrawing its consent conveyed to the university on November 4 last year.
According to the college governing body, it had earlier agreed to surrender around 565 sqm of its land along Sudhir Bose Marg and another 300 sqm for road widening as there was pressure from the university authorities. The land required was later restricted to just 745 sqm along Sudhir Bose Marg but was again increased to 791.66 sqm in January this year.
The college authorities allege that the land, which belongs to the Ramjas Foundation, is being acquired by the university for the beautification project of the MCD without following procedure. The college principal, Rajendra Prasad, said land from no other college located on that road was being taken over. ''UTTIPEC (a nodal agency headed by the LG for clearing all projects related to road and transport) had decided that footpaths were to be widened by reducing the carriageway and not by taking over the college land,'' said Prasad. He added, ''We were given only a week to give our consent without even letting us know of this decision of UTTIPEC.''
College staff says that taking away of land outside the building may disturb the students as classrooms will come near the road. Manoj Verma, president, Ramjas Staff Council, said, ''Due to OBC reservations, we are already falling short of space. We are not in a position to give away even an inch of land from our college campus. And since there are plans to make the traffic one-way outside the college, the traffic volume is set to increase.'' He further said, ''All our old trees along the college wall will also have to be axed.''
Prasad insisted that Ramjas has been an enthusiastic supporter of Commonwealth Games but now surrendering its land was out of question. ''We have already given our sports ground for construction of the stadium and our girls and boys hostel too. We are also giving our college as a venue for interviews of the volunteers. But acquiring our college land is not required,'' he said.
Original news source http://common-wealth-games-2010.blogspot.com/2010/03/ramjas-no-to-road-widening-for-games.html
The beautification of roads for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games is likely to hit a hurdle on Delhi University campus as Ramjas College has refused to surrender its land for widening of the pavement on Sudhir Bose Marg. The college principal has now written to the lieutenant-governor informing him that the governing body was withdrawing its consent conveyed to the university on November 4 last year.
According to the college governing body, it had earlier agreed to surrender around 565 sqm of its land along Sudhir Bose Marg and another 300 sqm for road widening as there was pressure from the university authorities. The land required was later restricted to just 745 sqm along Sudhir Bose Marg but was again increased to 791.66 sqm in January this year.
The college authorities allege that the land, which belongs to the Ramjas Foundation, is being acquired by the university for the beautification project of the MCD without following procedure. The college principal, Rajendra Prasad, said land from no other college located on that road was being taken over. ''UTTIPEC (a nodal agency headed by the LG for clearing all projects related to road and transport) had decided that footpaths were to be widened by reducing the carriageway and not by taking over the college land,'' said Prasad. He added, ''We were given only a week to give our consent without even letting us know of this decision of UTTIPEC.''
College staff says that taking away of land outside the building may disturb the students as classrooms will come near the road. Manoj Verma, president, Ramjas Staff Council, said, ''Due to OBC reservations, we are already falling short of space. We are not in a position to give away even an inch of land from our college campus. And since there are plans to make the traffic one-way outside the college, the traffic volume is set to increase.'' He further said, ''All our old trees along the college wall will also have to be axed.''
Prasad insisted that Ramjas has been an enthusiastic supporter of Commonwealth Games but now surrendering its land was out of question. ''We have already given our sports ground for construction of the stadium and our girls and boys hostel too. We are also giving our college as a venue for interviews of the volunteers. But acquiring our college land is not required,'' he said.
Original news source http://common-wealth-games-2010.blogspot.com/2010/03/ramjas-no-to-road-widening-for-games.html
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Parking disallowed on Rajpath
Wednesday , Mar 17, 2010
Delhi Police today issued an extraordinary notification banning parking of vehicles on Rajpath in the national capital, saying it has been causing congestion in the area and endangering life of road users.
"Illegal parking of vehicles on Rajpath (from Vijay Chowk to C- Hexagon) by tourists and visitors is causing congestion and interrupting flow of traffic, hindrance to pedestrians on the road, and also endangering the life of road users.
"In view of the problems, it is necessary to control the parking of motor vehicles on Rajpath with an objective to ensure uninterrupted, safe and free management of traffic/movement of pedestrians," the notification issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-HQ) Prabhakar said.
According to the notification, parking of all types of vehicles will be banned for 24 hours of the day on Rajpath by declaring the road as "No Parking Zone" till further orders.
Original news source http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=18_03_2010_002_008&kword=&mode=1
Delhi Police today issued an extraordinary notification banning parking of vehicles on Rajpath in the national capital, saying it has been causing congestion in the area and endangering life of road users.
"Illegal parking of vehicles on Rajpath (from Vijay Chowk to C- Hexagon) by tourists and visitors is causing congestion and interrupting flow of traffic, hindrance to pedestrians on the road, and also endangering the life of road users.
"In view of the problems, it is necessary to control the parking of motor vehicles on Rajpath with an objective to ensure uninterrupted, safe and free management of traffic/movement of pedestrians," the notification issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-HQ) Prabhakar said.
According to the notification, parking of all types of vehicles will be banned for 24 hours of the day on Rajpath by declaring the road as "No Parking Zone" till further orders.
Original news source http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=18_03_2010_002_008&kword=&mode=1
Badges for auto drivers to check crime, traffic police tells high court
Thursday , Mar 18, 2010
Brushing aside stiff opposition from auto-rickshaw drivers, the Delhi Traffic Police has told the Delhi High Court that it is determined to make it mandatory for all the drivers to carry badges and bio-metric cards.
There are an estimated 55,000 auto-rickshaws in the capital.
The police said the aim is to prevent auto-rickshaw drivers from committing crime against passengers, a trend increas- ingly witnessed in the recent past.
"It is well known that some auto and taxi drivers have, in the past, indulged in criminal activities such as robberies, snatching and kidnapping," stat- ed an affidavit filed by DCP (Traffic) Prabhakar through lawyer Jyoti Singh.
"It is therefore necessary that undesirable and unverified driv- ers, whose identity and resi- dential address itself perhaps may not be correct, are not allowed to drive a public serv- ice vehicle which gives them an opportunity to commit crimes against innocent passengers, including foreign tourists," the affidavit added.
The department said it would be easier to maintain a data- base of drivers in this manner.
The traffic police are of the view that possession of a badge and biometric connotes an ele- ment of certification. These will be issued only after verification of the character and antecedents of such drivers.
"The verification is under process," said the affidavit filed in the court of Acting Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Mukta Gupta, hearing a PIL filed by NGO Nyay Bhoomi representing the auto rickshaw drivers.
On February 3, in an interim order, the court had restrained the Delhi transport department and traffic police from fining auto-rickshaw drivers merely on account of non-possession of badges.
`NON-DELHI LICENCES VALID' The Delhi traffic police denied the NGO's allegations that auto rickshaw drivers, who possess licences issued by states out- side Delhi, were not being allowed to operate here and were recently penalised.
Original news source http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=18_03_2010_002_008&kword=&mode=1
Brushing aside stiff opposition from auto-rickshaw drivers, the Delhi Traffic Police has told the Delhi High Court that it is determined to make it mandatory for all the drivers to carry badges and bio-metric cards.
There are an estimated 55,000 auto-rickshaws in the capital.
The police said the aim is to prevent auto-rickshaw drivers from committing crime against passengers, a trend increas- ingly witnessed in the recent past.
"It is well known that some auto and taxi drivers have, in the past, indulged in criminal activities such as robberies, snatching and kidnapping," stat- ed an affidavit filed by DCP (Traffic) Prabhakar through lawyer Jyoti Singh.
"It is therefore necessary that undesirable and unverified driv- ers, whose identity and resi- dential address itself perhaps may not be correct, are not allowed to drive a public serv- ice vehicle which gives them an opportunity to commit crimes against innocent passengers, including foreign tourists," the affidavit added.
The department said it would be easier to maintain a data- base of drivers in this manner.
The traffic police are of the view that possession of a badge and biometric connotes an ele- ment of certification. These will be issued only after verification of the character and antecedents of such drivers.
"The verification is under process," said the affidavit filed in the court of Acting Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Mukta Gupta, hearing a PIL filed by NGO Nyay Bhoomi representing the auto rickshaw drivers.
On February 3, in an interim order, the court had restrained the Delhi transport department and traffic police from fining auto-rickshaw drivers merely on account of non-possession of badges.
`NON-DELHI LICENCES VALID' The Delhi traffic police denied the NGO's allegations that auto rickshaw drivers, who possess licences issued by states out- side Delhi, were not being allowed to operate here and were recently penalised.
Original news source http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=18_03_2010_002_008&kword=&mode=1
Monday, March 15, 2010
One bad decision, endless traffic woes on Outer Ring Road
Tuesday , Mar 16, 2010
Nothing underlines the appalling lack of foresight of Delhi's city planners and traffic managers than the mess they have created on the Outer Ring Road at the Rao Tula Ram Marg flyover. The Delhi Government's much-hyped scheme to make Outer Ring Road signal free from Kalkaji to the airport and onward to the Gurgaon Expressway has come a cropper with the construction of a one-way flyover benefiting only those coming towards the city, while subjecting vehicles heading for the airport to interminable delays.
It is inexplicable why the authorities chose to build a one-way flyover and install a traffic signal for outbound traffic at the Rao Tula Ram Marg T-junction. This decision, which can only be described as stupid, is resulting in a massive tailback on Outer Ring Road just after Vasant Vihar. Vehicles come fast and furious from South Delhi thanks to two newly-opened six-lane flyovers at the JNU/Africa Avenue and Munirka crossings respectively; and then get stuck at the T-junction near Vasant Lok Apartments. Similarly, traffic turning right from Rao Tula Ram Marg to get to the airport or the Gurgaon Expressway has to wait for a long time, especially during peak hours.
A two-way, six-lane flyover here would have ensured traffic moved seamlessly both on Outer Ring Road and from Rao Tula Ram Marg. But thanks to their wisdom, only a one-way flyover was constructed. Short-sighted town planners did not foresee that uninterrupted traffic flow from Kalkaji and Nehru Place through Panchsheel Park would lead to a pile-up wherever it confronted a traffic signal. The mindless decision to build a one-way flyover has not only demolished the concept of signal-free Outer Ring Road, but also resulted in a huge problem for Vasant Vihar residents who are now forced to use the U-turn under the flyover and face long delays at the signal.
This has resulted in greater inconvenience to the residents of Vasant Vihar coming from Poorvi Marg, Vasant Marg and Pashchimi Marg and headed towards IIT and Nehru Place. Further, the closure of the right turns from Munirka flyover has created bottleneck at the Rao Tula Ram Marg crossing, as it facilitates uninterrupted flow of traffic up to the RTR Marg flyover.
Daily commuters maintain that the actual purpose of constructing the flyover has been defeated as it has only aggravated the traffic chaos in the area. "The traffic flow is more or less smooth from Nehru Place to Munirka but travelling across the brief stretch has become a harrowing task," said Ratan Singh Negi, who commutes daily from Nehru Place to Dwarka. Another commuter Rashmi rued that it took her nearly 40 to 50 minutes to cross the stretch as the traffic gets blocked on Outer Ring Road due to the merging traffic from Poorvi Marg, Vasant Marg and Pashchimi Marg. Notably, the Resident Welfare Associations of Vasant Vihar have also approached the Delhi High Court seeking directions to the authorities to clear the traffic mess in the area.
According to officials, the Delhi Traffic Police is involved in regular meetings with the Public Works Department (PWD) to find a solution to the problem. Senior traffic officials said that they were mulling over reversing the flow of traffic through the flyover. "We are planning to reverse the flow of traffic from IIT to IGI Airport, which is at present from the Airport towards IIT," said Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic). He said that this would be done keeping in view the larger volume of traffic headed towards the airport. Though the proposal to reverse the traffic flow is against the original idea of constructing the flyover, yet the traffic cops estimate that it would help reduce the traffic mess up to 70 per cent. Chadha, however, said that the trials for the new traffic arrangements are likely to begin this week.
It may be noted that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi had raised objections over the design of the flyover before it was constructed. While the L-G wanted it to be a double-carriageway flyover, it was not accepted by the Government as it would have damaged the houses along Palam Marg and Westrend Colony. Also, the PWD feared damage to the Malai Mandir in the area. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had assured the Malai Mandir authorities that the structure would not be harmed. It is pertinent to mention that the RTR Marg Flyover, constructed at a cost of Rs 60 crore, was opened for public in October last year. The Government had claimed that opening of the flyover would eliminate traffic jams on the route from the IIT to NH-8.
Original news source http://www.dailypioneer.com/242518/One-bad-decision-endless-traffic-woes-on-Outer-Ring-Road.html
Nothing underlines the appalling lack of foresight of Delhi's city planners and traffic managers than the mess they have created on the Outer Ring Road at the Rao Tula Ram Marg flyover. The Delhi Government's much-hyped scheme to make Outer Ring Road signal free from Kalkaji to the airport and onward to the Gurgaon Expressway has come a cropper with the construction of a one-way flyover benefiting only those coming towards the city, while subjecting vehicles heading for the airport to interminable delays.
It is inexplicable why the authorities chose to build a one-way flyover and install a traffic signal for outbound traffic at the Rao Tula Ram Marg T-junction. This decision, which can only be described as stupid, is resulting in a massive tailback on Outer Ring Road just after Vasant Vihar. Vehicles come fast and furious from South Delhi thanks to two newly-opened six-lane flyovers at the JNU/Africa Avenue and Munirka crossings respectively; and then get stuck at the T-junction near Vasant Lok Apartments. Similarly, traffic turning right from Rao Tula Ram Marg to get to the airport or the Gurgaon Expressway has to wait for a long time, especially during peak hours.
A two-way, six-lane flyover here would have ensured traffic moved seamlessly both on Outer Ring Road and from Rao Tula Ram Marg. But thanks to their wisdom, only a one-way flyover was constructed. Short-sighted town planners did not foresee that uninterrupted traffic flow from Kalkaji and Nehru Place through Panchsheel Park would lead to a pile-up wherever it confronted a traffic signal. The mindless decision to build a one-way flyover has not only demolished the concept of signal-free Outer Ring Road, but also resulted in a huge problem for Vasant Vihar residents who are now forced to use the U-turn under the flyover and face long delays at the signal.
This has resulted in greater inconvenience to the residents of Vasant Vihar coming from Poorvi Marg, Vasant Marg and Pashchimi Marg and headed towards IIT and Nehru Place. Further, the closure of the right turns from Munirka flyover has created bottleneck at the Rao Tula Ram Marg crossing, as it facilitates uninterrupted flow of traffic up to the RTR Marg flyover.
Daily commuters maintain that the actual purpose of constructing the flyover has been defeated as it has only aggravated the traffic chaos in the area. "The traffic flow is more or less smooth from Nehru Place to Munirka but travelling across the brief stretch has become a harrowing task," said Ratan Singh Negi, who commutes daily from Nehru Place to Dwarka. Another commuter Rashmi rued that it took her nearly 40 to 50 minutes to cross the stretch as the traffic gets blocked on Outer Ring Road due to the merging traffic from Poorvi Marg, Vasant Marg and Pashchimi Marg. Notably, the Resident Welfare Associations of Vasant Vihar have also approached the Delhi High Court seeking directions to the authorities to clear the traffic mess in the area.
According to officials, the Delhi Traffic Police is involved in regular meetings with the Public Works Department (PWD) to find a solution to the problem. Senior traffic officials said that they were mulling over reversing the flow of traffic through the flyover. "We are planning to reverse the flow of traffic from IIT to IGI Airport, which is at present from the Airport towards IIT," said Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic). He said that this would be done keeping in view the larger volume of traffic headed towards the airport. Though the proposal to reverse the traffic flow is against the original idea of constructing the flyover, yet the traffic cops estimate that it would help reduce the traffic mess up to 70 per cent. Chadha, however, said that the trials for the new traffic arrangements are likely to begin this week.
It may be noted that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi had raised objections over the design of the flyover before it was constructed. While the L-G wanted it to be a double-carriageway flyover, it was not accepted by the Government as it would have damaged the houses along Palam Marg and Westrend Colony. Also, the PWD feared damage to the Malai Mandir in the area. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had assured the Malai Mandir authorities that the structure would not be harmed. It is pertinent to mention that the RTR Marg Flyover, constructed at a cost of Rs 60 crore, was opened for public in October last year. The Government had claimed that opening of the flyover would eliminate traffic jams on the route from the IIT to NH-8.
Original news source http://www.dailypioneer.com/242518/One-bad-decision-endless-traffic-woes-on-Outer-Ring-Road.html
Field day for hawkers, Palika shop-owners sulk
Monday , Mar 15, 2010
The road opposite the Palika underground parking in front of Palika Bazaar Gate number 1 is usually choking, with hundreds of hawkers and buyers jostling for bargains, blocking pedestrian movement. The unauthorised hawkers, according to the shopkeepers of Palika Bazaar, have led to declining sales inside the market, as both sell near-identical goods— shirts, jeans, T-shirts and accessories.
According to documents obtained by Newsline, among the nearly 75 hawkers operating in the area, only 48 have licences from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to sell goods on the street. "While this has meant dipping sales for us, it also poses a
security threat to the area as most of the sellers have not been verified by the NDMC," a shopkeeper of Palika Bazaar said.
The shopkeepers, he said, have written to the civic body several times to remove the unlicensed hawkers but nothing has been done so far.
Also, according to NDMC rules, hawkers are allowed to ply their trade only from sunrise to sunset. If any hawker is found hawking after that, his goods are liable to be seized.
These hawkers, however, operate from afternoon till late in the night. According to an NDMC official, civic officials conduct surprise visits to the area and seize goods from unlicensed hawkers, but they keep coming back.
Besides the unauthorised hawkers outside the underground parking, there are also numerous others doing business outside the Palika Bazaar.
The hawkers began functioning in the area in 2000 when the NDMC relocated them from different places in Lutyens' Delhi to the present location. Since then, the numbers have been growing and their sales have been picking up since they sell goods at prices lower than Palika Bazaar.
"The hawkers don't have to pay sales tax and income tax, so they can afford to do so," a shopkeeper said.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/field-day-for-hawkers-palika-shopowners-sulk/590656/0
The road opposite the Palika underground parking in front of Palika Bazaar Gate number 1 is usually choking, with hundreds of hawkers and buyers jostling for bargains, blocking pedestrian movement. The unauthorised hawkers, according to the shopkeepers of Palika Bazaar, have led to declining sales inside the market, as both sell near-identical goods— shirts, jeans, T-shirts and accessories.
According to documents obtained by Newsline, among the nearly 75 hawkers operating in the area, only 48 have licences from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to sell goods on the street. "While this has meant dipping sales for us, it also poses a
security threat to the area as most of the sellers have not been verified by the NDMC," a shopkeeper of Palika Bazaar said.
The shopkeepers, he said, have written to the civic body several times to remove the unlicensed hawkers but nothing has been done so far.
Also, according to NDMC rules, hawkers are allowed to ply their trade only from sunrise to sunset. If any hawker is found hawking after that, his goods are liable to be seized.
These hawkers, however, operate from afternoon till late in the night. According to an NDMC official, civic officials conduct surprise visits to the area and seize goods from unlicensed hawkers, but they keep coming back.
Besides the unauthorised hawkers outside the underground parking, there are also numerous others doing business outside the Palika Bazaar.
The hawkers began functioning in the area in 2000 when the NDMC relocated them from different places in Lutyens' Delhi to the present location. Since then, the numbers have been growing and their sales have been picking up since they sell goods at prices lower than Palika Bazaar.
"The hawkers don't have to pay sales tax and income tax, so they can afford to do so," a shopkeeper said.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/field-day-for-hawkers-palika-shopowners-sulk/590656/0
Crackdown on illegal parking
Sunday , Mar 14, 2010
Coming to the rescue of Delhiites who are often fleeced by the parking mafia, that charges them an exorbitant amount for parking their vehicles, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has asked Delhi traffic police to crack down on illegal parking sites and remove such sites within 15 days time.
He has also asked them to submit a status report in this regard.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which is facing a loss to the tune of Rs. 200 crore per year due to illegal parking sites, had written to the L-G office, asking him to intervene in the matter two months ago.
"The L-G has asked the traffic police to remove such illegal parking sites and encroachments at the earliest. We had written to the L-G office as a number of illegal parking sites are operational in areas where the traffic police didn't allow
us to operate our parking lots," said a senior Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) official.
"We have more than 200 legal surface parking sites functional in the city at present, while the number of illegal parking sites is double that," he added.
"We will comply with the order and submit a status report," said Rajan Bhagat, spokesperson, Delhi Police.
The civic agency is hopeful that once the illegal parking sites are identified and removed by the traffic police, it will take over those sites.
In January, the civic agency had also planned to legalise a number of unauthorised parking sites to create more parking space in the city.
The civic agency had sent a list of 52 illegal parking sites to the L-G office that are under the parking mafia's
control, in areas such as Defence Colony, Nehru Place, Hamilton Road, Kailash Colony, Kalkaji, Sheikh Sarai and Lajpat Nagar Central Market, among others.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/newdelhi/Crackdown-on-illegal-parking/Article1-519109.aspx
Coming to the rescue of Delhiites who are often fleeced by the parking mafia, that charges them an exorbitant amount for parking their vehicles, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has asked Delhi traffic police to crack down on illegal parking sites and remove such sites within 15 days time.
He has also asked them to submit a status report in this regard.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which is facing a loss to the tune of Rs. 200 crore per year due to illegal parking sites, had written to the L-G office, asking him to intervene in the matter two months ago.
"The L-G has asked the traffic police to remove such illegal parking sites and encroachments at the earliest. We had written to the L-G office as a number of illegal parking sites are operational in areas where the traffic police didn't allow
us to operate our parking lots," said a senior Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) official.
"We have more than 200 legal surface parking sites functional in the city at present, while the number of illegal parking sites is double that," he added.
"We will comply with the order and submit a status report," said Rajan Bhagat, spokesperson, Delhi Police.
The civic agency is hopeful that once the illegal parking sites are identified and removed by the traffic police, it will take over those sites.
In January, the civic agency had also planned to legalise a number of unauthorised parking sites to create more parking space in the city.
The civic agency had sent a list of 52 illegal parking sites to the L-G office that are under the parking mafia's
control, in areas such as Defence Colony, Nehru Place, Hamilton Road, Kailash Colony, Kalkaji, Sheikh Sarai and Lajpat Nagar Central Market, among others.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/newdelhi/Crackdown-on-illegal-parking/Article1-519109.aspx
No decision on GK-I parking lot
Sunday , Mar 14, 2010
The Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has again deferred decision on the proposed multi-level parking lot at Greater Kailash-I. The ambitious parking project had first run into trouble in 2005, when the committee objected to the appointment of a consultant, alleging flouting of rules. Even though fresh tenders were invited, the matter is yet to be resolved.
The MCD has now decided to constitute a committee to resolve all issues related to the project. The work for development of the automated multi-level parking in M-Block market in GK-I was first awarded to Era Infra Engineering Limited on BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis. After fresh tenders it was awarded to Impark Infrastructure. The contract was again withdrawn and was finally awarded to DSC Ltd and Simmatec Consortium in January 2009. Once approved by the Committee, the project will be developed at a cost of nearly Rs 17 crore.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/No-decision-on-GK-I-parking-lot/590529
The Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has again deferred decision on the proposed multi-level parking lot at Greater Kailash-I. The ambitious parking project had first run into trouble in 2005, when the committee objected to the appointment of a consultant, alleging flouting of rules. Even though fresh tenders were invited, the matter is yet to be resolved.
The MCD has now decided to constitute a committee to resolve all issues related to the project. The work for development of the automated multi-level parking in M-Block market in GK-I was first awarded to Era Infra Engineering Limited on BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis. After fresh tenders it was awarded to Impark Infrastructure. The contract was again withdrawn and was finally awarded to DSC Ltd and Simmatec Consortium in January 2009. Once approved by the Committee, the project will be developed at a cost of nearly Rs 17 crore.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/No-decision-on-GK-I-parking-lot/590529
Soon, a national body to oversee road safety
Thursday, Mar 11, 2010
India, which has the dubious distinction of registering the highest number of road deaths across the globe, is expected to get a statutory panel to deal with all road safety related matters.
The Road Safety Bill, with the aim of setting up a National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board at the Centre, is likely to come up for discussion in the Union Cabinet on Thursday.
With increasing accidents causing concern, the Cabinet will also take up a national transport safety policy for discussion.
Sources said that once the relevant Bill gets the Cabinet's go ahead, it would be introduced in Parliament in the current session.
The road ministry has moved the proposal three years after an expert committee submitted its report on "Road Safety and Traffic Management" recommending the creation of a special Act and creation of an apex board besides a road safety fund.
The board's job would be to advise the Central government on administration of road safety laws and recommend standards for design, construction and maintenance of national highways, safety standards for motor vehicles and standards for establishing and operating trauma facilities on national highways, sources said.
Earlier, the law ministry had opposed creation of the board on the ground that road safety is a state subject and the Centre had no authority to set up such a board.
The board will also be provided financial autonomy through the creation of a National Road Safety Fund, which will get 1% of the total cess collected on petrol and diesel. Officials said that the board will also deal with data collection of road accidents (both fatal and injuries) and also crash investigations to find out the reasons behind road accidents.
"At present, there is no responsibility within the Central government so far as road safety is concerned even though deaths due in road accidents are shooting up every year. The present National Road Safety Council is non-statutory, meets only once a year and there is no responsibility. We need a Central agency, which will govern and will be responsible for the state of affairs in the road safety sector,'' said Rohit Baluja, member of the Commission for Global Road Safety representing India and Asia.
The committee headed by S Sundar had in its report said that the responsibility for road safety is `diffused' and there is no single agency to deal with a range of problems associated with road safety. "There is also no effective mechanism for coordinating the activities of different agencies dealing with road safety. The role of key ministries and public sector agencies in improving road safety is peripheral. It is not a priority area in their agenda for development,'' it had mentioned.
Road accident deaths in India increased from 1.14 lakh in 2007 to 1.18 lakh in 2008. The Centre has said that it would take steps to bring down fatalities by 50% by 2012.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Soon-a-national-body-to-oversee-road-safety/articleshow/5669070.cms
India, which has the dubious distinction of registering the highest number of road deaths across the globe, is expected to get a statutory panel to deal with all road safety related matters.
The Road Safety Bill, with the aim of setting up a National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board at the Centre, is likely to come up for discussion in the Union Cabinet on Thursday.
With increasing accidents causing concern, the Cabinet will also take up a national transport safety policy for discussion.
Sources said that once the relevant Bill gets the Cabinet's go ahead, it would be introduced in Parliament in the current session.
The road ministry has moved the proposal three years after an expert committee submitted its report on "Road Safety and Traffic Management" recommending the creation of a special Act and creation of an apex board besides a road safety fund.
The board's job would be to advise the Central government on administration of road safety laws and recommend standards for design, construction and maintenance of national highways, safety standards for motor vehicles and standards for establishing and operating trauma facilities on national highways, sources said.
Earlier, the law ministry had opposed creation of the board on the ground that road safety is a state subject and the Centre had no authority to set up such a board.
The board will also be provided financial autonomy through the creation of a National Road Safety Fund, which will get 1% of the total cess collected on petrol and diesel. Officials said that the board will also deal with data collection of road accidents (both fatal and injuries) and also crash investigations to find out the reasons behind road accidents.
"At present, there is no responsibility within the Central government so far as road safety is concerned even though deaths due in road accidents are shooting up every year. The present National Road Safety Council is non-statutory, meets only once a year and there is no responsibility. We need a Central agency, which will govern and will be responsible for the state of affairs in the road safety sector,'' said Rohit Baluja, member of the Commission for Global Road Safety representing India and Asia.
The committee headed by S Sundar had in its report said that the responsibility for road safety is `diffused' and there is no single agency to deal with a range of problems associated with road safety. "There is also no effective mechanism for coordinating the activities of different agencies dealing with road safety. The role of key ministries and public sector agencies in improving road safety is peripheral. It is not a priority area in their agenda for development,'' it had mentioned.
Road accident deaths in India increased from 1.14 lakh in 2007 to 1.18 lakh in 2008. The Centre has said that it would take steps to bring down fatalities by 50% by 2012.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Soon-a-national-body-to-oversee-road-safety/articleshow/5669070.cms
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Delhi parking lot project caught in heritage row
Tuesday, Mar 09, 2010
The Delhi Urban Art Commission and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation have once again locked horns. This time, over the construction of an underground multi-level parking lot for Delhi High Court. DMRC is the executing agency for the project.
The site allotted for the parking lot, which is located near the National Stadium in Pragati Maidan and falling within 200m of the Purana Quila regulated zone, includes a 16th century tomb. The monument figures in the New Delhi Municipal Council's heritage list notified by the Delhi government. NDMC had issued a stop work notice for the project in October last year. However, several conservationists in the city allege that DMRC is continuing with its construction activities at the site.
The DUAC has now asked DMRC to pay for the conservation and maintenance of the monument dating back to the Sher Shah Suri period.
"We are just the contractor for the project," Anuj Dayal, Chief Public Relations Officer, DMRC, told Projectmonitor.
"Whatever has been conveyed to DMRC regarding payment for conservation and upkeep of the monument will be referred to the client. At present, only preliminary work is going on at the site," he added.
A DUAC member, when contacted, refused to comment on the issue.
According to D.K. Sharma, Secretary of Delhi High Court Bar Association, all necessary approvals for the project were obtained prior to commencing work at the site.
"When the project started, several coordination meetings were held between the concerned agencies and DMRC," Sharma said.
"The detailed plan for the project was shown at these meetings and clear assurances were given that all care would be taken to protect the monument. DUAC does not have the right to interfere. It is poking its nose unnecessarily," he added.
Original news source http://www.projectsmonitor.com/AUTOMOB/delhi-parking-lot-project-caught-in-heritage-row
The Delhi Urban Art Commission and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation have once again locked horns. This time, over the construction of an underground multi-level parking lot for Delhi High Court. DMRC is the executing agency for the project.
The site allotted for the parking lot, which is located near the National Stadium in Pragati Maidan and falling within 200m of the Purana Quila regulated zone, includes a 16th century tomb. The monument figures in the New Delhi Municipal Council's heritage list notified by the Delhi government. NDMC had issued a stop work notice for the project in October last year. However, several conservationists in the city allege that DMRC is continuing with its construction activities at the site.
The DUAC has now asked DMRC to pay for the conservation and maintenance of the monument dating back to the Sher Shah Suri period.
"We are just the contractor for the project," Anuj Dayal, Chief Public Relations Officer, DMRC, told Projectmonitor.
"Whatever has been conveyed to DMRC regarding payment for conservation and upkeep of the monument will be referred to the client. At present, only preliminary work is going on at the site," he added.
A DUAC member, when contacted, refused to comment on the issue.
According to D.K. Sharma, Secretary of Delhi High Court Bar Association, all necessary approvals for the project were obtained prior to commencing work at the site.
"When the project started, several coordination meetings were held between the concerned agencies and DMRC," Sharma said.
"The detailed plan for the project was shown at these meetings and clear assurances were given that all care would be taken to protect the monument. DUAC does not have the right to interfere. It is poking its nose unnecessarily," he added.
Original news source http://www.projectsmonitor.com/AUTOMOB/delhi-parking-lot-project-caught-in-heritage-row
Monday, March 8, 2010
Govt wants agencies to hand over roads soon
Sunday , Mar 07, 2010
Finally, Delhi-ites can expect some respite from dug up roads. Seeing the condition of arterial roads in the city, a majority of which are dug up due to construction of Delhi Metro, flyovers, subways or streetscaping work ahead of the Commonwealth Games, Delhi government held a review meeting with all the agencies concerned asking them to clear out stretches on schedule.
To start with, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Public Works Department (PWD) were reportedly asked to hand-over roads to the road-owning agencies so that streetscaping and beautification of the stretches can commence. "DMRC has given an undertaking that all the roads under their jurisdiction will be handed back to the road-owning agencies by April 13 for streetscaping. Other projects like flyovers, etc will also follow the same schedule,'' said chief secretary Rakesh Mehta.
At present, several roads are dug up for construction of new medians, pavements and street furniture leading to traffic jams. This had become a major cause for concern for the government as it was felt that the roads will not get cleared out in time. "All streetscaping activity will also be completed by June,'' Mehta added. The government had called a review meeting of Commonwealth Games projects on Thursday in which representatives from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), PWD, DMRC, Delhi traffic police and the city government.
DMRC officials said that the corporation had initially taken over about 40 km of roads for construction activity, of which about 30 km has already been handed back. "We are ready to give another 3-4 km this month and the rest by April. The construction of all the lines is nearing completion,'' said a DMRC spokesperson. The roads to clear out soon include the main roads in Nehru Place and Naraina, Humayun Road, Aurobindo Marg and Rohtak Road.
Concern was expressed about the progress of other projects related to the Games. The agencies revealed that almost all are on schedule. "There were some projects which are running a little behind the schedule. But work will now be expedited and these projects will now be completed well in time for the Games,'' said an official. Some stretches like Metro's Badarpur line, PWD's Naraina flyover, NDMC's CP restoration are a bit delayed, but work on these are being taken up on a warfooting now.
It was decided that no new projects will be started now, unless they can be completed before October. For this, MCD has been asked to submit a road wise plan to the traffic police, which will be reviewed. Traffic circulation will be studied at Naraina where new bus stops are coming up and ITO bridge where repairs are about to start.
The Union urban development ministry reviewed the projects 10 days back.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Govt-wants-agencies-to-hand-over-roads-soon/articleshow/5652613.cms
Finally, Delhi-ites can expect some respite from dug up roads. Seeing the condition of arterial roads in the city, a majority of which are dug up due to construction of Delhi Metro, flyovers, subways or streetscaping work ahead of the Commonwealth Games, Delhi government held a review meeting with all the agencies concerned asking them to clear out stretches on schedule.
To start with, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Public Works Department (PWD) were reportedly asked to hand-over roads to the road-owning agencies so that streetscaping and beautification of the stretches can commence. "DMRC has given an undertaking that all the roads under their jurisdiction will be handed back to the road-owning agencies by April 13 for streetscaping. Other projects like flyovers, etc will also follow the same schedule,'' said chief secretary Rakesh Mehta.
At present, several roads are dug up for construction of new medians, pavements and street furniture leading to traffic jams. This had become a major cause for concern for the government as it was felt that the roads will not get cleared out in time. "All streetscaping activity will also be completed by June,'' Mehta added. The government had called a review meeting of Commonwealth Games projects on Thursday in which representatives from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), PWD, DMRC, Delhi traffic police and the city government.
DMRC officials said that the corporation had initially taken over about 40 km of roads for construction activity, of which about 30 km has already been handed back. "We are ready to give another 3-4 km this month and the rest by April. The construction of all the lines is nearing completion,'' said a DMRC spokesperson. The roads to clear out soon include the main roads in Nehru Place and Naraina, Humayun Road, Aurobindo Marg and Rohtak Road.
Concern was expressed about the progress of other projects related to the Games. The agencies revealed that almost all are on schedule. "There were some projects which are running a little behind the schedule. But work will now be expedited and these projects will now be completed well in time for the Games,'' said an official. Some stretches like Metro's Badarpur line, PWD's Naraina flyover, NDMC's CP restoration are a bit delayed, but work on these are being taken up on a warfooting now.
It was decided that no new projects will be started now, unless they can be completed before October. For this, MCD has been asked to submit a road wise plan to the traffic police, which will be reviewed. Traffic circulation will be studied at Naraina where new bus stops are coming up and ITO bridge where repairs are about to start.
The Union urban development ministry reviewed the projects 10 days back.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Govt-wants-agencies-to-hand-over-roads-soon/articleshow/5652613.cms
Friday, March 5, 2010
Google Transit for the Metro commuters in Delhi & NCR
Saturday , Mar 06, 2010
Delhi Metro has fast been growing as the daily means of transport in the Delhi & NCR region. With Delhi Metro expanding its horizon, reaching the near-by NOIDA, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, and covering more kilometers, passengers want to know the routes and schedules, when they are on move. For this, DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) has partnered with Google India to provide information on Delhi Metro schedules & routes. Called Google Transit, this service will be available free of cost on mobile devices & desktops with Google Maps.
It will provide information on route changes, train timings, station locations, frequency of services, travel time & ticket fares. This will help people to manager their travel time better and make their travel more organised. This will also help the new commuters who start travelling on the new routes getting adding every few days.
Delhi is hosting the CommonWealth Games in October, and there are thousands of visitors expected. Delhi is gearing up to provide a world-class experience to all the visitors, and having the public transport system information on the mobile is a step towards it. Currently the Delhi Metro has 9,50,000 commuters per day, on the 96 kms span. By October, it is expected to cover 190 kms.
In addition to metro information, Google Transit will also provide driving directions to specified destinations. Future plans are to include more modes of transport like the buses and trains.
Google also provides such transit information on Chennai MRTS in Chennai, Kolkata Metro in Kolkata and Hyderabad Metro in Hyderabad cities.
Original news source http://www.moneymint.in/business/google-transit-for-the-metro-commuters-in-delhi-ncr
Delhi Metro has fast been growing as the daily means of transport in the Delhi & NCR region. With Delhi Metro expanding its horizon, reaching the near-by NOIDA, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, and covering more kilometers, passengers want to know the routes and schedules, when they are on move. For this, DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) has partnered with Google India to provide information on Delhi Metro schedules & routes. Called Google Transit, this service will be available free of cost on mobile devices & desktops with Google Maps.
It will provide information on route changes, train timings, station locations, frequency of services, travel time & ticket fares. This will help people to manager their travel time better and make their travel more organised. This will also help the new commuters who start travelling on the new routes getting adding every few days.
Delhi is hosting the CommonWealth Games in October, and there are thousands of visitors expected. Delhi is gearing up to provide a world-class experience to all the visitors, and having the public transport system information on the mobile is a step towards it. Currently the Delhi Metro has 9,50,000 commuters per day, on the 96 kms span. By October, it is expected to cover 190 kms.
In addition to metro information, Google Transit will also provide driving directions to specified destinations. Future plans are to include more modes of transport like the buses and trains.
Google also provides such transit information on Chennai MRTS in Chennai, Kolkata Metro in Kolkata and Hyderabad Metro in Hyderabad cities.
Original news source http://www.moneymint.in/business/google-transit-for-the-metro-commuters-in-delhi-ncr
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Pay traffic fines at kiosk close to you
Wednesday , Mar 03, 2010
Now people do not have to run from pillar to post to pay traffic fines. They can deposit them at kiosks being set up across the city, a police official said Wednesday.
"We are trying up with e-based Jeeven Project of the Delhi government. With them we will open up kiosks across the capital wherepeople can pay their traffic fines. People can also pay through credit cards," said a senior police official.
"This way both the people as well as the courts can breath easy. We are still working out the formalities associated with the project, " the officer added.
The police is planning to open up around 2,000 kiosks. However no time frame was provided when these kiosks will start functioning.
These government kiosks will provide a single window facility for various services pertaining to different departments and ministries in the national capital. The kiosks apart from accepting traffic fine payments and other service bills, will also give information on forms and notices being taken out by various ministries.
Original news source http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a118955.html
Now people do not have to run from pillar to post to pay traffic fines. They can deposit them at kiosks being set up across the city, a police official said Wednesday.
"We are trying up with e-based Jeeven Project of the Delhi government. With them we will open up kiosks across the capital wherepeople can pay their traffic fines. People can also pay through credit cards," said a senior police official.
"This way both the people as well as the courts can breath easy. We are still working out the formalities associated with the project, " the officer added.
The police is planning to open up around 2,000 kiosks. However no time frame was provided when these kiosks will start functioning.
These government kiosks will provide a single window facility for various services pertaining to different departments and ministries in the national capital. The kiosks apart from accepting traffic fine payments and other service bills, will also give information on forms and notices being taken out by various ministries.
Original news source http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a118955.html
Kharak Singh Marg opens for traffic
Wednesday , Mar 03, 2010
One of the Capital's busiest roads, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, that had been partially closed to facilitate construction of the upcoming new Airport Express Line by the Delhi Metro railway has been thrown open to traffic from Wednesday.
According to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation officials, a new road with two lanes for traffic on both sides has been constructed at Baba Kharak Singh Marg following completion of the underground metro tunnel.
"The quality of the new road has been certified by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and its thickness has been approved by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai. To ensure that the quality of the road does not suffer due to water-ogging during monsoons, new drainage pipelines have also been laid," said a DMRC spokesperson.
The road has been handed over to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) for landscaping work ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
DMRC officials said a 350-metre stretch of the 800-metre-long road connecting Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and Rajiv Chowk (Connaught Place, Outer Circle) was closed to traffic from one side in March 2008 for construction of the Shivaji Stadium metro railway station building.
Traffic coming from GPO towards Rajiv Chowk (Outer Circle) was earlier diverted through Jain Mandir Marg via Shivaji Stadium, while traffic going from Rajiv Chowk to GPO was allowed to use one side of Baba Kharak Singh Marg.
"However, there were no traffic snarls or bottlenecks on the diverted stretch because of the cooperation we received from the Delhi Traffic Police and the NDMC authorities. Five traffic marshals appointed by DMRC manned the stretch round the clock to ensure smooth traffic flow during the entire construction period," said the spokesperson.
DMRC is also constructing a three-floor building of the Shivaji Stadium metro railway station, which is a part of the Airport Express Line running from New Delhi to Indira Gandhi International Airport and further extended up to Dwarka Sector 21, below Baba Kharak Singh Marg which consists of platform, concourse and mezzanine levels. The station building will also have integration with the proposed headquarters of Air India, which will come up at the same place.
Original news source http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article138938.ece
One of the Capital's busiest roads, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, that had been partially closed to facilitate construction of the upcoming new Airport Express Line by the Delhi Metro railway has been thrown open to traffic from Wednesday.
According to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation officials, a new road with two lanes for traffic on both sides has been constructed at Baba Kharak Singh Marg following completion of the underground metro tunnel.
"The quality of the new road has been certified by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and its thickness has been approved by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai. To ensure that the quality of the road does not suffer due to water-ogging during monsoons, new drainage pipelines have also been laid," said a DMRC spokesperson.
The road has been handed over to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) for landscaping work ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
DMRC officials said a 350-metre stretch of the 800-metre-long road connecting Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and Rajiv Chowk (Connaught Place, Outer Circle) was closed to traffic from one side in March 2008 for construction of the Shivaji Stadium metro railway station building.
Traffic coming from GPO towards Rajiv Chowk (Outer Circle) was earlier diverted through Jain Mandir Marg via Shivaji Stadium, while traffic going from Rajiv Chowk to GPO was allowed to use one side of Baba Kharak Singh Marg.
"However, there were no traffic snarls or bottlenecks on the diverted stretch because of the cooperation we received from the Delhi Traffic Police and the NDMC authorities. Five traffic marshals appointed by DMRC manned the stretch round the clock to ensure smooth traffic flow during the entire construction period," said the spokesperson.
DMRC is also constructing a three-floor building of the Shivaji Stadium metro railway station, which is a part of the Airport Express Line running from New Delhi to Indira Gandhi International Airport and further extended up to Dwarka Sector 21, below Baba Kharak Singh Marg which consists of platform, concourse and mezzanine levels. The station building will also have integration with the proposed headquarters of Air India, which will come up at the same place.
Original news source http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article138938.ece
Monday, March 1, 2010
Students Protest Against Felling of Trees, Eating of Footpath Space
Monday , Mar 01, 2010
Students of Kamala Nehru and Gargi College, along with representatives of the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) of Anand Lok, Gulmohar Park and adjoining areas came together to demonstrate against the rampant felling of trees and the 'killing' of footpath space in the area. Students and residents carried posters and display banners reading "Don't kill our footpath space. Don't kill us on the road" in the protest march from the Mithaas Complex in front of Gargi College to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) office.
The road stretch and the intersection near the college premises is already a congestion site and a traffic mess. Two trees have been cut and the CPWD plans to fell more and also break the pavement on both sides of the road, leaving barely any space for the pedestrians to walk on. The students of Kamala Nehru College, have protested in written to the DCP, South District, Delhi, warning that they will be forced to hold another protest march and jam the roads in front of the college in case the CPWD goes ahead with the tree-cutting drive.
A similar protest in 2007, calling for immediate stopping of the indiscriminate felling of trees around the Siri Fort area was noticed but overlooked by the Government, on pretext of "planning" for the Commonwealth Games 2010. Two weeks of Commonwealth Games does not mean we sacrifice our environment and risk thousands of young lives. The Trees are a necessity, the pavements our right, is the message the students are trying to get across to the Government and the policy makers. Are these Commonwealth Games, or Games to take away are Common Wealth?…the question resurfaces yet again..
Original news source http://delhigreens.com/2010/03/01/students-protest-against-felling-of-trees-eating-of-footpath-space/
Students of Kamala Nehru and Gargi College, along with representatives of the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) of Anand Lok, Gulmohar Park and adjoining areas came together to demonstrate against the rampant felling of trees and the 'killing' of footpath space in the area. Students and residents carried posters and display banners reading "Don't kill our footpath space. Don't kill us on the road" in the protest march from the Mithaas Complex in front of Gargi College to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) office.
The road stretch and the intersection near the college premises is already a congestion site and a traffic mess. Two trees have been cut and the CPWD plans to fell more and also break the pavement on both sides of the road, leaving barely any space for the pedestrians to walk on. The students of Kamala Nehru College, have protested in written to the DCP, South District, Delhi, warning that they will be forced to hold another protest march and jam the roads in front of the college in case the CPWD goes ahead with the tree-cutting drive.
A similar protest in 2007, calling for immediate stopping of the indiscriminate felling of trees around the Siri Fort area was noticed but overlooked by the Government, on pretext of "planning" for the Commonwealth Games 2010. Two weeks of Commonwealth Games does not mean we sacrifice our environment and risk thousands of young lives. The Trees are a necessity, the pavements our right, is the message the students are trying to get across to the Government and the policy makers. Are these Commonwealth Games, or Games to take away are Common Wealth?…the question resurfaces yet again..
Original news source http://delhigreens.com/2010/03/01/students-protest-against-felling-of-trees-eating-of-footpath-space/
Major traffic diversion planned ahead of the Hockey World Cup at National Stadium
Friday , Feb 26, 2010
Two days before the Hockey World Cup kick starts in the national capital, major traffic diversions on some of the busiest stretches in the city are staring in the face of already hassled commuters.
The Delhi traffic police have advised motorists to avoid India Gate-C-Hexagon and its radial roads during the hockey matches scheduled at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The police may close part or entire C-Hexagon during the tournament.
"Spectators can park their vehicles at Bhairon Mandir and zoo parking. And can walk down to the stadium for an entry. High denomination ticket holders and accredited guests can park their vehicles at Central Vista, south side and north side of Rajpath. Only labelled vehicles will be allowed in the parking lots near the stadium," said Joint Commissioner of Police (traffic) Satyendra Garg.
"There won't be any parking of vehicles on Tilak Marg, C-Hexagon, Purana Quila Road, Sher Shah Road, Mathura Road, K.G. Marg, Copernicus Marg, Ashoka Road. Vehicles parked on these roads will be towed away and prosecuted," added Garg. And the commuters are certainly not amused.
"It would have been better if all the offices were shut down like the schools during Commonwealth Games. Opting for alternate routes is manageable for one or two days. But commuting in this manner for 14 days is asking for too much," said, Praveen Kumar Sinha, a banker, working at ITO.
"The government should come up with a concrete plan to solve the traffic problem. Events of this level will be hosted every now and then, but this shouldn't hamper the traffic movement," said Chandan Kumar, a relationship manager working at Karol Bagh.
Roniee, a Delhi University student had similar concerns to share. "The traffic is at its peak in the morning. The diversions will only to add to the chaos, making it impossible for us to reach our destination. If this is the state at the moment, I wonder what will happen during the Commonwealth Games."
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/only-four-of-eight-cp-subways-to-meet-october-target/584705/0
Two days before the Hockey World Cup kick starts in the national capital, major traffic diversions on some of the busiest stretches in the city are staring in the face of already hassled commuters.
The Delhi traffic police have advised motorists to avoid India Gate-C-Hexagon and its radial roads during the hockey matches scheduled at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The police may close part or entire C-Hexagon during the tournament.
"Spectators can park their vehicles at Bhairon Mandir and zoo parking. And can walk down to the stadium for an entry. High denomination ticket holders and accredited guests can park their vehicles at Central Vista, south side and north side of Rajpath. Only labelled vehicles will be allowed in the parking lots near the stadium," said Joint Commissioner of Police (traffic) Satyendra Garg.
"There won't be any parking of vehicles on Tilak Marg, C-Hexagon, Purana Quila Road, Sher Shah Road, Mathura Road, K.G. Marg, Copernicus Marg, Ashoka Road. Vehicles parked on these roads will be towed away and prosecuted," added Garg. And the commuters are certainly not amused.
"It would have been better if all the offices were shut down like the schools during Commonwealth Games. Opting for alternate routes is manageable for one or two days. But commuting in this manner for 14 days is asking for too much," said, Praveen Kumar Sinha, a banker, working at ITO.
"The government should come up with a concrete plan to solve the traffic problem. Events of this level will be hosted every now and then, but this shouldn't hamper the traffic movement," said Chandan Kumar, a relationship manager working at Karol Bagh.
Roniee, a Delhi University student had similar concerns to share. "The traffic is at its peak in the morning. The diversions will only to add to the chaos, making it impossible for us to reach our destination. If this is the state at the moment, I wonder what will happen during the Commonwealth Games."
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/only-four-of-eight-cp-subways-to-meet-october-target/584705/0
Special detectors, boards to make parking easier at Palika
Friday , Feb 26, 2010
Parking at Palika Bazaar in Connaught Place will soon be a smoother process. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) plans to have a new parking management system in place at the existing underground parking lot that will guide drivers to the exact spots that are vacant.
At present, it takes a long time for those driving in to find the empty slots, making parking difficult.
The three-level Palika lot has the capacity to park 1,050 cars and 500 scooters. In the absence of a management system to guide cars, motorists are usually in for a hard time.
"The proposal was floated a while ago to get a management system that will allow more judicious use of the space," Mukesh Bhatt, an NDMC member, said.
Work is slotted to finish before October so that the parking can be used during the Commonwealth Games.
In the Electronic Parking Guidance and Management System, a special detector will be installed at every parking slot. The slots will be numbered and the detector will analyse whether a particular spot is vacant. Based on the information, the main computer will provide information on a board installed outside the parking lot. The board will also display how many slots on which level are vacant.
Ads by Google Automatic Parking Woehr Multiparker provides space- saving parking in automated garageswww.parkingsystems.dParking Systems Solving Car Parking Problems in Indiawww.suvidhaparklift.DirectPark Automated car park system Space-saving - fast - securewww.directpark.co.uk
Once a vehicle is driven inside, there will be electronic boards to signal the location of the empty slots.
In September 2009, tenders were invited and three firms submitted their proposals, out of which two — CMS Traffic System Ltd and Auto Pass India — were shortlisted.
The total estimated budget of the project is around Rs 3 crore.
"Work will start once the details are finalised next month," Bhatt added.
New parking to have
* Special detectors to identify vacant parking slots
* Display boards outside to indicate number of vacant spots on each level
* Electronic boards to display location of the slot
Original news source http://blog.taragana.com/law/2010/02/25/ensure-better-quality-of-delhi-roads-court-tells-mcd-20426/
Parking at Palika Bazaar in Connaught Place will soon be a smoother process. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) plans to have a new parking management system in place at the existing underground parking lot that will guide drivers to the exact spots that are vacant.
At present, it takes a long time for those driving in to find the empty slots, making parking difficult.
The three-level Palika lot has the capacity to park 1,050 cars and 500 scooters. In the absence of a management system to guide cars, motorists are usually in for a hard time.
"The proposal was floated a while ago to get a management system that will allow more judicious use of the space," Mukesh Bhatt, an NDMC member, said.
Work is slotted to finish before October so that the parking can be used during the Commonwealth Games.
In the Electronic Parking Guidance and Management System, a special detector will be installed at every parking slot. The slots will be numbered and the detector will analyse whether a particular spot is vacant. Based on the information, the main computer will provide information on a board installed outside the parking lot. The board will also display how many slots on which level are vacant.
Ads by Google Automatic Parking Woehr Multiparker provides space- saving parking in automated garageswww.parkingsystems.dParking Systems Solving Car Parking Problems in Indiawww.suvidhaparklift.DirectPark Automated car park system Space-saving - fast - securewww.directpark.co.uk
Once a vehicle is driven inside, there will be electronic boards to signal the location of the empty slots.
In September 2009, tenders were invited and three firms submitted their proposals, out of which two — CMS Traffic System Ltd and Auto Pass India — were shortlisted.
The total estimated budget of the project is around Rs 3 crore.
"Work will start once the details are finalised next month," Bhatt added.
New parking to have
* Special detectors to identify vacant parking slots
* Display boards outside to indicate number of vacant spots on each level
* Electronic boards to display location of the slot
Original news source http://blog.taragana.com/law/2010/02/25/ensure-better-quality-of-delhi-roads-court-tells-mcd-20426/
Only four of eight CP subways to meet October target
Friday , Feb 26, 2010
One of the biggest projects for the Commonwealth Games is to turn the city pedestrian friendly. The plan includes constructing eight subways at Connaught Place.
With the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) yet to get permission from the Delhi Traffic Police for two subways, it seems unlikely the whole project will meet the deadline.
At present, work is on at four subways; they are expected to be ready on time. Sources in the NDMC said the Delhi Traffic Police have given permission for work on two other subways, but the civic agency is awaiting nod for the last two.
Considering that each phase of subway construction takes nearly 240 days, completing the rest before the Games in October seems unlikely.
"Our aim now is to complete the four subways on which work has started. We will think about the rest when we get permission. We want to complete as many subways as possible," a senior NDMC official said.
At present, work is on at Barakhamba Road and Panchkuian Road; both have two subways each connecting the Outer Circle with the Inner Circle. Work will be completed only by the end of August.
The subways at Barakhamba Road will connect Statesman House with N-Block and Gopaldas Building with M-Block. The Engineers India Limited is handling the construction.
When the NDMC began work on the eight subways around CP's Outer Circle on December 25, the city's festive spirit was marred by traffic chaos.
Considering the condition of traffic, work was stalled for a few days in January. A team comprising the Traffic police, the New Delhi Trader's Association (NDTA) and the Lieutenant Governor found that construction of all eight subways would lead to congestion in the heart of the city for several hours and suggested work be taken up in a phased manner.
According to the proposal floated in 2009, a road-level pedestrian subway will be constructed between K-Block and Yusuf Zai Market while seven underground pedestrian subways will be constructed between Gopaldas Building and M-Block; Statesman House and N-Block; Railway Colony and H-Block; H-Block and Chelmsford Road; P-Block and G-Block, Baba Kharak Singh Marg and J-Block. An underground subway will also be constructed on KG Marg, connecting the area with the Outer Circle.
Original news source http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/feb/260210-Major-traffic-diversion-India-Gate-Hockey-World-Cup.htm
One of the biggest projects for the Commonwealth Games is to turn the city pedestrian friendly. The plan includes constructing eight subways at Connaught Place.
With the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) yet to get permission from the Delhi Traffic Police for two subways, it seems unlikely the whole project will meet the deadline.
At present, work is on at four subways; they are expected to be ready on time. Sources in the NDMC said the Delhi Traffic Police have given permission for work on two other subways, but the civic agency is awaiting nod for the last two.
Considering that each phase of subway construction takes nearly 240 days, completing the rest before the Games in October seems unlikely.
"Our aim now is to complete the four subways on which work has started. We will think about the rest when we get permission. We want to complete as many subways as possible," a senior NDMC official said.
At present, work is on at Barakhamba Road and Panchkuian Road; both have two subways each connecting the Outer Circle with the Inner Circle. Work will be completed only by the end of August.
The subways at Barakhamba Road will connect Statesman House with N-Block and Gopaldas Building with M-Block. The Engineers India Limited is handling the construction.
When the NDMC began work on the eight subways around CP's Outer Circle on December 25, the city's festive spirit was marred by traffic chaos.
Considering the condition of traffic, work was stalled for a few days in January. A team comprising the Traffic police, the New Delhi Trader's Association (NDTA) and the Lieutenant Governor found that construction of all eight subways would lead to congestion in the heart of the city for several hours and suggested work be taken up in a phased manner.
According to the proposal floated in 2009, a road-level pedestrian subway will be constructed between K-Block and Yusuf Zai Market while seven underground pedestrian subways will be constructed between Gopaldas Building and M-Block; Statesman House and N-Block; Railway Colony and H-Block; H-Block and Chelmsford Road; P-Block and G-Block, Baba Kharak Singh Marg and J-Block. An underground subway will also be constructed on KG Marg, connecting the area with the Outer Circle.
Original news source http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/feb/260210-Major-traffic-diversion-India-Gate-Hockey-World-Cup.htm
Ensure better quality of Delhi roads, court tells MCD
Thursday , Feb 25, 2010
While the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is busy re-surfacing the city's roads ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the civic agency was Thursday told by the Delhi High Court to ensure "better life" for the roads so that they do not "crumble with the onset of the monsoon".
Justice Kailash Gambhir said, "The MCD shall indicate as to whether they have acquired two machines, namely jet-patching and infra-red heater, and within how much time the said machines will be functional on the roads of Delhi."
The MCD is responsible for construction and maintenance of 94 percent of roads in Delhi.
The MCD earlier told the court that pot-holed roads will soon be a rare sight in Delhi, courtesy a 'Municipal Laboratory' recently upgraded and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to test samples taken from road construction.
"The Municipal Laboratory has been technically upgraded and has obtained ISO 9001 certification. Now, the laboratory is fully equipped with the latest machines to test samples of road construction as per the CPWD specifications," MCD counsel Maninder Acharya earlier told the court.
The civic agency has also pooled in the expertise of the Sri Ram Institute for Industrial Research and the Regional Testing Centre to conduct quality checks on samples of road projects worth between Rs.5 lakh and Rs.25 lakh, counsel said.
Not satisfied, Justice Gambhir directed the civic agency to prepare a time-bound schedule for the construction of roads that meet international standards.
It said, "MCD will file an additional affidavit as to whether they are adopting modern technology for re-laying the roads for ensuring better quality and standard of Delhi roads, and also for their better life tenure so that the roads do not crumble with the onset of monsoon."
The court also directed the civic agency to consult the Public Works Department (PWD) and Central Road Research Institute to introduce proper mechanism for re-surfacing the city roads.
The court asked the MCD to file a detailed affidavit by April 7.
Original news source http://blog.taragana.com/law/2010/02/25/ensure-better-quality-of-delhi-roads-court-tells-mcd-20426/
While the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is busy re-surfacing the city's roads ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the civic agency was Thursday told by the Delhi High Court to ensure "better life" for the roads so that they do not "crumble with the onset of the monsoon".
Justice Kailash Gambhir said, "The MCD shall indicate as to whether they have acquired two machines, namely jet-patching and infra-red heater, and within how much time the said machines will be functional on the roads of Delhi."
The MCD is responsible for construction and maintenance of 94 percent of roads in Delhi.
The MCD earlier told the court that pot-holed roads will soon be a rare sight in Delhi, courtesy a 'Municipal Laboratory' recently upgraded and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to test samples taken from road construction.
"The Municipal Laboratory has been technically upgraded and has obtained ISO 9001 certification. Now, the laboratory is fully equipped with the latest machines to test samples of road construction as per the CPWD specifications," MCD counsel Maninder Acharya earlier told the court.
The civic agency has also pooled in the expertise of the Sri Ram Institute for Industrial Research and the Regional Testing Centre to conduct quality checks on samples of road projects worth between Rs.5 lakh and Rs.25 lakh, counsel said.
Not satisfied, Justice Gambhir directed the civic agency to prepare a time-bound schedule for the construction of roads that meet international standards.
It said, "MCD will file an additional affidavit as to whether they are adopting modern technology for re-laying the roads for ensuring better quality and standard of Delhi roads, and also for their better life tenure so that the roads do not crumble with the onset of monsoon."
The court also directed the civic agency to consult the Public Works Department (PWD) and Central Road Research Institute to introduce proper mechanism for re-surfacing the city roads.
The court asked the MCD to file a detailed affidavit by April 7.
Original news source http://blog.taragana.com/law/2010/02/25/ensure-better-quality-of-delhi-roads-court-tells-mcd-20426/
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