Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010
Delhi Traffic Police is facing a unique problem — traffic norm violation by government vehicles including police — on the dedicated Games lane. The policemen posted on the dedicated lanes fear to stop the government vehicles that are driving on the Games lane. To cope with the problem Delhi Traffic Police has sought help from law-abiding citizens.
"We are not going to spare anybody who enters dedicated lanes despite not having authorisation. But we cannot check the problem unless people help us. If we get any information with proof about any government official violating traffic norm by entering the Games lane where restrictions are imposed, we will take action against the official concerned," said a senior officer of the Delhi Traffic Police.
Said Satyendra Garg, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic): "One of the best way to trace the law violators could be Facebook. We would appreciate if people take photographs of the vehicles of the government officials that enter the dedicated lane and upload them on Facebook, we will immediately issue notices to them."
The traffic police will also show zero tolerance even to the Games related vehicles, which ply on the dedicated lanes at a speed beyond the fixed limit.
"We have registered cases against some vehicles, which were over-speeding. We won't spare any kind of traffic norm violation on Games lanes," said Ajay Chadha, special commissioner of police (Traffic).
"An accident has also been reported in which a pedestrian was injured when a CWG car hit him on the dedicated lane at Sardar Patel Marg at aroudn 10.20 am on Wednesday," added Chadha.
The CWG car was returning from the airport and no athlete or official was in it at the time of the incident.
The injured, Kanshi Ram (42), was rushed to the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
A case has been registered against the driver (Vicky) of the vehicle that hit the pedestrian.
Chadha further said that people could face arrest for straying into Commonwealth Games lanes and a notification under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code has been promulgated.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Zero-tolerance-for-Games-lane-violation/Article1-606211.aspx
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Baton relay not to disrupt vehicle flow: Traffic Police
Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010
For a change, the Queen's baton will travel with the common man in Delhi. The Delhi Traffic Police had given strict instructions to the Organising Committee (OC) that the baton would not be provided an all-clear route and traffic would not be stopped for it. The OC had asked for an elaborate arrangement for the relay that was struck down by the police citing limited force and other security concerns.
"We had a meeting with the OC officials that traffic will not be stopped for the baton relay. It will enter from National Highway-8 and will move with the normal traffic," said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).
The baton will be carried around in an SUV with a sunroof and will have escort and pilot vehicles for security.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Baton-relay-not-to-disrupt-vehicle-flow-Traffic-Police/Article1-606197.aspx
For a change, the Queen's baton will travel with the common man in Delhi. The Delhi Traffic Police had given strict instructions to the Organising Committee (OC) that the baton would not be provided an all-clear route and traffic would not be stopped for it. The OC had asked for an elaborate arrangement for the relay that was struck down by the police citing limited force and other security concerns.
"We had a meeting with the OC officials that traffic will not be stopped for the baton relay. It will enter from National Highway-8 and will move with the normal traffic," said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).
The baton will be carried around in an SUV with a sunroof and will have escort and pilot vehicles for security.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Baton-relay-not-to-disrupt-vehicle-flow-Traffic-Police/Article1-606197.aspx
Big relief coming for Faridabad, Noida commuters
Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010
While doubts remain on whether the Commonwealth Games will make Delhi a 'world-class city', it's certainly going to bring major relief to commuters travelling to Delhi from Faridabad and Noida. While National Highways Authority of India officials said the concessionaire of the Badarpur elevated road to Faridabad has agreed to open the main corridor for traffic by Sunday, PWD is also set to inaugurate its second flyover on the UP Link road to Noida on that day.
Officials of both agencies said unprecedented rain this year had delayed the two crucial road projects meant to ease traffic movement between Delhi and the two satellite cities. But with the weather improving, things are back on track.
The opening of the UP Link flyover would make the stretch between Geeta Colony and Noida completely signal-free. The Badarpur elevated stretch, meanwhile, will come as a boon to Delhi-Faridabad commuters who often get stuck in huge jams at the Badarpur border.
"The main structure of the UP Link flyover is almost ready. We are on the job to complete the laying of approach roads to the double-carriageway fast link. We will open the stretch for traffic on Sunday. The additional bridge over Chilla regulator will also be opened by then," claimed project manager Sarvagya Srivastava.
He added that the base course below the bitumen layer technically known WMM was wet due to heavy rain. "Since we could not wait for the material to dry up, we have removed the entire layer and have replaced it with dry material. We will now start black-topping work on the approach roads. Black-topping of the main flyover is complete. We are fixing expansion joints," Srivastava said.
Though a visit to the site leaves one with the impression that the PWD might need 10 more days to complete it, department engineers said that to meet the Games deadline they have stepped up construction work.
"Since there is urgency we removed the wet WMM at our own cost. We have mobilized resources and manpower to complete by Games," said spokesperson of DSC Ltd, contractor of the project. Srivastava said they would let the traffic use the flyover after laying dense bitumen. After the Games, they would lay an additional coat of bitumen. "Since we have replaced the wet WMM, there is little chance of the approach road developing any damage, he claimed.
PWD officials said that beautification and remaining work on this stretch would continue after the opening of the flyover.
Meanwhile, NHAI officials said that Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), which is constructing the Badarpur elevated stretch, has told the authority that traffic would be allowed on the elevated corridor as 'diversion' so that they can expedite the remaining work on the ground road to complete the project by the end of October. "Effectively, this will bring relief to commuters from major traffic jams at the border," said an NHAI official.
At present, commuters spend at least 45 minutes to cross the 4km stretch between Faridabad and Badarpur during peak hours. "The opening of the elevated road for thorough traffic would reduce travel time and make the drive smoother. Since tolling on this stretch will start only after the completion of the project, for first one month or so, no toll will be charged," said an NHAI official.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Big-relief-coming-for-Faridabad-Noida-commuters/articleshow/6647550.cms
While doubts remain on whether the Commonwealth Games will make Delhi a 'world-class city', it's certainly going to bring major relief to commuters travelling to Delhi from Faridabad and Noida. While National Highways Authority of India officials said the concessionaire of the Badarpur elevated road to Faridabad has agreed to open the main corridor for traffic by Sunday, PWD is also set to inaugurate its second flyover on the UP Link road to Noida on that day.
Officials of both agencies said unprecedented rain this year had delayed the two crucial road projects meant to ease traffic movement between Delhi and the two satellite cities. But with the weather improving, things are back on track.
The opening of the UP Link flyover would make the stretch between Geeta Colony and Noida completely signal-free. The Badarpur elevated stretch, meanwhile, will come as a boon to Delhi-Faridabad commuters who often get stuck in huge jams at the Badarpur border.
"The main structure of the UP Link flyover is almost ready. We are on the job to complete the laying of approach roads to the double-carriageway fast link. We will open the stretch for traffic on Sunday. The additional bridge over Chilla regulator will also be opened by then," claimed project manager Sarvagya Srivastava.
He added that the base course below the bitumen layer technically known WMM was wet due to heavy rain. "Since we could not wait for the material to dry up, we have removed the entire layer and have replaced it with dry material. We will now start black-topping work on the approach roads. Black-topping of the main flyover is complete. We are fixing expansion joints," Srivastava said.
Though a visit to the site leaves one with the impression that the PWD might need 10 more days to complete it, department engineers said that to meet the Games deadline they have stepped up construction work.
"Since there is urgency we removed the wet WMM at our own cost. We have mobilized resources and manpower to complete by Games," said spokesperson of DSC Ltd, contractor of the project. Srivastava said they would let the traffic use the flyover after laying dense bitumen. After the Games, they would lay an additional coat of bitumen. "Since we have replaced the wet WMM, there is little chance of the approach road developing any damage, he claimed.
PWD officials said that beautification and remaining work on this stretch would continue after the opening of the flyover.
Meanwhile, NHAI officials said that Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), which is constructing the Badarpur elevated stretch, has told the authority that traffic would be allowed on the elevated corridor as 'diversion' so that they can expedite the remaining work on the ground road to complete the project by the end of October. "Effectively, this will bring relief to commuters from major traffic jams at the border," said an NHAI official.
At present, commuters spend at least 45 minutes to cross the 4km stretch between Faridabad and Badarpur during peak hours. "The opening of the elevated road for thorough traffic would reduce travel time and make the drive smoother. Since tolling on this stretch will start only after the completion of the project, for first one month or so, no toll will be charged," said an NHAI official.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Big-relief-coming-for-Faridabad-Noida-commuters/articleshow/6647550.cms
CWG Lanes to Be Extended to Cover 2 More Stadiums
Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010
Dedicated lanes for Commonwealth Games in the national capital will now be extended to Major Dhayan Chand Hockey Stadium and Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from the Games Village.
To facilitate Commonwealth Games-related traffic, Delhi Traffic Police has been maintaining dedicated Games Lane from Games Village to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Games Family hotels from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm since September 26.
"Now this has been extended to Major Dhayan Chand Hockey Stadium and Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from Games Village. For other competition and training Venues, Traffic Police has been facilitating the movement of athletes and officials," a senior police official said today.
A notification relating to the movement of all categories of goods vehicles during Commonwealth Games which will be effective from September 30 to October 15 has also been issued by the Transport Department.
The notification prohibits the entry, plying and idle parking of heavy, medium and light goods vehicles on certain roads during specified timings.
According to the notification, there will be day time restriction on the entry, plying and idle parking of goods vehicles from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm on 84 roads including NH-8, Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Aurobindo Marg, Nelson Mandela Marg, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, Thamaiya Marg, Shankar Road, DBG Road and Rani Jhansi Road.
There will be peak hour restrictions on entry, plying and idle parking and 24-hour restriction on certain roads.
Original news source http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?695070
Dedicated lanes for Commonwealth Games in the national capital will now be extended to Major Dhayan Chand Hockey Stadium and Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from the Games Village.
To facilitate Commonwealth Games-related traffic, Delhi Traffic Police has been maintaining dedicated Games Lane from Games Village to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Games Family hotels from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm since September 26.
"Now this has been extended to Major Dhayan Chand Hockey Stadium and Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from Games Village. For other competition and training Venues, Traffic Police has been facilitating the movement of athletes and officials," a senior police official said today.
A notification relating to the movement of all categories of goods vehicles during Commonwealth Games which will be effective from September 30 to October 15 has also been issued by the Transport Department.
The notification prohibits the entry, plying and idle parking of heavy, medium and light goods vehicles on certain roads during specified timings.
According to the notification, there will be day time restriction on the entry, plying and idle parking of goods vehicles from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm on 84 roads including NH-8, Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Aurobindo Marg, Nelson Mandela Marg, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, Thamaiya Marg, Shankar Road, DBG Road and Rani Jhansi Road.
There will be peak hour restrictions on entry, plying and idle parking and 24-hour restriction on certain roads.
Original news source http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?695070
Traffic woes continue for Delhiites
Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010
It was yet another harrowing day on the capital's roads Tuesday, with commuters getting stuck in long traffic jams and taking hours to reach their destinations with the shutting down of Games-exclusive lanes.
Though many complained about the hardship, some even praised the effort of Delhi Traffic Police for managing the traffic at a time when thousands of visitors are expected to visit the capital for the Oct 3-14 Games.
Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner (Traffic), Tuesday thanked people for their cooperation in implementing the Games lanes dedicated to the movement of athletes and delegates.
'We are thankful to all the citizens for their cooperation in implementing the Games lanes. Barring very few exceptions, all the citizens are complying with the restrictions. We look forward to their continued support till Oct 16,' he wrote on Delhi traffic police's Facebook account.
Delhi's move to set apart road lanes for better traffic management during the mega event is being praised by many who view this as the start of a new disciplined traffic system. 'It is an innovative idea, a lane kept free for CWG now. Later, we can have a lane for emergency vehicles like ambulances,' said Tejendra Khanna, who works in a multi-national company in Gurgaon and commutes daily from Noida.
The traffic jam was a problem for Khanna as he took almost double the usual time to reach his destination. However, he attributed this to the lack of practice in lane driving among Delhiites.
'We are habituated to jumping lanes, they (the Games dedicated lanes) will be beneficial as they will give a lesson in sensible driving as well,' he said.
A total of 105 km of road have been dedicated for Games traffic.
However, some commuters did not like the blocking of roads. 'I commute from Mayur Vihar to Nehru Place. On regular days it takes 45-50 minutes to reach my office but now it take more than one-and-a-half hours or even two. It's very harassing. Neither the police nor the government is seriously concerned about the problems we face,' said Swati Khanna, an executive.
Commuters from India Gate to R.K. Puram had a tough time reaching their destinations. Some students even took the day off because of commuting problems.
Amrita, who lives in Lodhi Colony, decided to skip college in the Jamia Millia Islamia University as over 1,500 Blueline buses have been taken off the roads in central and south Delhi to decongest routes during the Commonwealth Games.
Delhi traffic police have suggested several alternative roads for motorists to avoid jams. Through newspaper advertisements, traffic police have advised people to use the Metro, buses and car pools.
Heavy traffic jams were seen on key roads in south, central and east Delhi connecting Games sites, prominently National Highway-8, Sardar Patel Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Bhisham Pitamah Marg, Lodhi Road, NH-24, Bhairon Road, Ring Road and August Kranti Marg.
The traffic police suggested that motorists take NH-8 for their movement between Delhi and Gurgaon.
Similarly, Panchsheel Marg and Kamal Ataturk Marg -- where half of the total road space has been taken by the dedicated Games lane -- have Kautilya Marg-Teen Murti Marg-Akbar Road and Aurobindo Marg-Tughlaq Road-Akbar Road, respectively, as alternatives.
According to advisories issued by Delhi Police, Vikas Marg and DND Flyway can be used in place of NH-24, while the commuters can take IP Marg and Bhagwan Das Road to avoid lane restrictions on Bhairon Road and Purana Quila Road.
For the traffic going to airport, the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road has been suggested. The Rajokri Border-Shiv Murti-Dwarka Road underpass has also been put as an alternative to NH-8 that is frequented by air travellers.
Meanwhile, Delhi Metro has seen an increase in footfall as more people are opting for Metro service to avoid road traffic.
According to a Delhi Metro official, there has been an increase in ridership. 'With traffic snarls and Blueline buses not plying, about 12.62 lakh people travelled by Metro yesterday (Monday). There was an extra footfall of about 65,000 commuters,' the official added.
Original news source http://sify.com/news/traffic-woes-continue-for-delhiites-news-national-kj2uEdbdaji.html
It was yet another harrowing day on the capital's roads Tuesday, with commuters getting stuck in long traffic jams and taking hours to reach their destinations with the shutting down of Games-exclusive lanes.
Though many complained about the hardship, some even praised the effort of Delhi Traffic Police for managing the traffic at a time when thousands of visitors are expected to visit the capital for the Oct 3-14 Games.
Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner (Traffic), Tuesday thanked people for their cooperation in implementing the Games lanes dedicated to the movement of athletes and delegates.
'We are thankful to all the citizens for their cooperation in implementing the Games lanes. Barring very few exceptions, all the citizens are complying with the restrictions. We look forward to their continued support till Oct 16,' he wrote on Delhi traffic police's Facebook account.
Delhi's move to set apart road lanes for better traffic management during the mega event is being praised by many who view this as the start of a new disciplined traffic system. 'It is an innovative idea, a lane kept free for CWG now. Later, we can have a lane for emergency vehicles like ambulances,' said Tejendra Khanna, who works in a multi-national company in Gurgaon and commutes daily from Noida.
The traffic jam was a problem for Khanna as he took almost double the usual time to reach his destination. However, he attributed this to the lack of practice in lane driving among Delhiites.
'We are habituated to jumping lanes, they (the Games dedicated lanes) will be beneficial as they will give a lesson in sensible driving as well,' he said.
A total of 105 km of road have been dedicated for Games traffic.
However, some commuters did not like the blocking of roads. 'I commute from Mayur Vihar to Nehru Place. On regular days it takes 45-50 minutes to reach my office but now it take more than one-and-a-half hours or even two. It's very harassing. Neither the police nor the government is seriously concerned about the problems we face,' said Swati Khanna, an executive.
Commuters from India Gate to R.K. Puram had a tough time reaching their destinations. Some students even took the day off because of commuting problems.
Amrita, who lives in Lodhi Colony, decided to skip college in the Jamia Millia Islamia University as over 1,500 Blueline buses have been taken off the roads in central and south Delhi to decongest routes during the Commonwealth Games.
Delhi traffic police have suggested several alternative roads for motorists to avoid jams. Through newspaper advertisements, traffic police have advised people to use the Metro, buses and car pools.
Heavy traffic jams were seen on key roads in south, central and east Delhi connecting Games sites, prominently National Highway-8, Sardar Patel Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Bhisham Pitamah Marg, Lodhi Road, NH-24, Bhairon Road, Ring Road and August Kranti Marg.
The traffic police suggested that motorists take NH-8 for their movement between Delhi and Gurgaon.
Similarly, Panchsheel Marg and Kamal Ataturk Marg -- where half of the total road space has been taken by the dedicated Games lane -- have Kautilya Marg-Teen Murti Marg-Akbar Road and Aurobindo Marg-Tughlaq Road-Akbar Road, respectively, as alternatives.
According to advisories issued by Delhi Police, Vikas Marg and DND Flyway can be used in place of NH-24, while the commuters can take IP Marg and Bhagwan Das Road to avoid lane restrictions on Bhairon Road and Purana Quila Road.
For the traffic going to airport, the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road has been suggested. The Rajokri Border-Shiv Murti-Dwarka Road underpass has also been put as an alternative to NH-8 that is frequented by air travellers.
Meanwhile, Delhi Metro has seen an increase in footfall as more people are opting for Metro service to avoid road traffic.
According to a Delhi Metro official, there has been an increase in ridership. 'With traffic snarls and Blueline buses not plying, about 12.62 lakh people travelled by Metro yesterday (Monday). There was an extra footfall of about 65,000 commuters,' the official added.
Original news source http://sify.com/news/traffic-woes-continue-for-delhiites-news-national-kj2uEdbdaji.html
Monday, September 27, 2010
Commuters suffer as private buses go off the roads
Monday, Sep 27, 2010
The Delhi government Monday shunted out around 1,600 private Blueline buses ahead of the Commonwealth Games, causing immense hardship to thousands of commuters, including students and office-goers, who had to wait for hours to get into packed state-run buses or pay exorbitant fares to autorickshaws.
The Bluelines buses are being kept off the roads during the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, leaving just the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses for the people.
Over 1,600 Blueline buses ply on 132 routes. They were pushed off the roads from Sunday till oct 16 to ease traffic congestion on Delhi roads. The routes on which the buses were taken off pass through central Delhi and near Games venues.
Daily commuters were in a fix as Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses were jam-packed. To add to the commuters's woes, the frequency of the DTC buses was also low.
The DTC plies 5,800 buses, including air-conditioned ones.
'I stood for more than an hour, but could not get into any of the jam-packed DTC buses. Though Bluelines were crowded, their frequency was better. And autorickshaws were charging more,' said Nikita Mishra, a resident of Nirman Vihar in east Delhi.
For Gautam Singh, a resident of Okhla with his office in Lodhi Road, the story was no better. 'Without the private buses, it is really difficult to commute because now the bus services are limited.'
Ayesha Nihar, a domestic help working in Chittaranjan Park, also felt the pinch. 'Bluelines bus tickets were cheaper compared to DTC AC buses in which the minimum charge is Rs.10. It is heavier on the pocket for working classes like me. Moreover we have to wait for at least half-an-hour to 45 minutes for the DTC buses. I am really worried that I will have to suffer this for some more days,' she added.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has prohibited the plying of buses or other vehicles of paramilitary forces on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium road.
The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory on the movement of vehicles around the stadium.
This will affect traffic around CGO Complex, Electronic Niketan, Soochna Bhawan, Scope Building, MTNL, Pragati Vihar and Lodhi Colony Type-V residential complex.
'In view of traffic restrictions, officials are requested to use car pools, Metro trains and public transport to avoid congestion in the area,' Satyendra Garg, Joint Commissioner of Police Traffic, said.
The road restrictions will come into effect from Tuesday morning.
According to Delhi traffic police helpline, traffic snarls will be more in areas like Sarai Kale khan, the DND flyover from Noida, Mathura Road and Ashram intersection.
Original news source http://www.indiatalkies.com/2010/09/commuters-suffer-private-buses-roads.html
The Delhi government Monday shunted out around 1,600 private Blueline buses ahead of the Commonwealth Games, causing immense hardship to thousands of commuters, including students and office-goers, who had to wait for hours to get into packed state-run buses or pay exorbitant fares to autorickshaws.
The Bluelines buses are being kept off the roads during the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, leaving just the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses for the people.
Over 1,600 Blueline buses ply on 132 routes. They were pushed off the roads from Sunday till oct 16 to ease traffic congestion on Delhi roads. The routes on which the buses were taken off pass through central Delhi and near Games venues.
Daily commuters were in a fix as Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses were jam-packed. To add to the commuters's woes, the frequency of the DTC buses was also low.
The DTC plies 5,800 buses, including air-conditioned ones.
'I stood for more than an hour, but could not get into any of the jam-packed DTC buses. Though Bluelines were crowded, their frequency was better. And autorickshaws were charging more,' said Nikita Mishra, a resident of Nirman Vihar in east Delhi.
For Gautam Singh, a resident of Okhla with his office in Lodhi Road, the story was no better. 'Without the private buses, it is really difficult to commute because now the bus services are limited.'
Ayesha Nihar, a domestic help working in Chittaranjan Park, also felt the pinch. 'Bluelines bus tickets were cheaper compared to DTC AC buses in which the minimum charge is Rs.10. It is heavier on the pocket for working classes like me. Moreover we have to wait for at least half-an-hour to 45 minutes for the DTC buses. I am really worried that I will have to suffer this for some more days,' she added.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has prohibited the plying of buses or other vehicles of paramilitary forces on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium road.
The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory on the movement of vehicles around the stadium.
This will affect traffic around CGO Complex, Electronic Niketan, Soochna Bhawan, Scope Building, MTNL, Pragati Vihar and Lodhi Colony Type-V residential complex.
'In view of traffic restrictions, officials are requested to use car pools, Metro trains and public transport to avoid congestion in the area,' Satyendra Garg, Joint Commissioner of Police Traffic, said.
The road restrictions will come into effect from Tuesday morning.
According to Delhi traffic police helpline, traffic snarls will be more in areas like Sarai Kale khan, the DND flyover from Noida, Mathura Road and Ashram intersection.
Original news source http://www.indiatalkies.com/2010/09/commuters-suffer-private-buses-roads.html
Dwarka underpass to aid traffic toward IGIA
Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010
Soon, passengers driving to Delhi's domestic airport will enjoy a smooth ride. A new underpass has come up at the Dwarka roundabout near the domestic terminals of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The roundabout used to be a traffic bottleneck with vehicles bound towards Dwarka and those coming from the domestic airport clashing with each other.
To avoid the problem and segregate traffic towards Dwarka and from the airport, the Delhi Traffic Police had closed the direct link from the airport to NH-8 sometime ago. With the new underpass now ready, passengers wouldn't have to take a long detour anymore.
The 520 metre long underpass at the Dwarka roundabout is being built by the Delhi Development Authority at a cost of about R100 crore. Already delayed by months, the authority is now trying to open the underpass to public before the Commonwealth Games begins.
"The underpass is ready and we will shortly have trial runs there," said DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar. ""The underpass will be opened for public use soon but a date has not been finalised yet."
With the underpass in place, Dwarka bound traffic will now get a segregated route. Passengers headed towards the airport, however, might have to face a traffic signal at the junction.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Dwarka-underpass-to-aid-traffic-toward-IGIA/Article1-605442.aspx
Soon, passengers driving to Delhi's domestic airport will enjoy a smooth ride. A new underpass has come up at the Dwarka roundabout near the domestic terminals of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The roundabout used to be a traffic bottleneck with vehicles bound towards Dwarka and those coming from the domestic airport clashing with each other.
To avoid the problem and segregate traffic towards Dwarka and from the airport, the Delhi Traffic Police had closed the direct link from the airport to NH-8 sometime ago. With the new underpass now ready, passengers wouldn't have to take a long detour anymore.
The 520 metre long underpass at the Dwarka roundabout is being built by the Delhi Development Authority at a cost of about R100 crore. Already delayed by months, the authority is now trying to open the underpass to public before the Commonwealth Games begins.
"The underpass is ready and we will shortly have trial runs there," said DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar. ""The underpass will be opened for public use soon but a date has not been finalised yet."
With the underpass in place, Dwarka bound traffic will now get a segregated route. Passengers headed towards the airport, however, might have to face a traffic signal at the junction.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Dwarka-underpass-to-aid-traffic-toward-IGIA/Article1-605442.aspx
100 motorists face action for entering Games lanes
Monday, Sep 27, 2010
The Delhi traffic police Monday prosecuted 100 people for straying into road lanes reserved for Commonwealth Games-related vehicles.
The lanes have been reserved for Games vehicles from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. till Oct 16.
'A total of 89 people were prosecuted on the spot and notices have been sent to 11 people for straying into the Games lanes,' Ajay Chadha, special commissioner, traffic, told IANS.
The exclusive lanes are from the Games Village, NH 24, Ring Road up to the Barapullah flyover, 4th Avenue, Lodhi Road, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg and Panchsheel Marg.
Restrictions, however, are not applicable to Delhi Police vehicles, ambulances, fire tenders and other emergency service vehicles.
Original news source http://sify.com/news/100-motorists-face-action-for-entering-games-lanes-news-national-kj1w4bgjjed.html
The Delhi traffic police Monday prosecuted 100 people for straying into road lanes reserved for Commonwealth Games-related vehicles.
The lanes have been reserved for Games vehicles from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. till Oct 16.
'A total of 89 people were prosecuted on the spot and notices have been sent to 11 people for straying into the Games lanes,' Ajay Chadha, special commissioner, traffic, told IANS.
The exclusive lanes are from the Games Village, NH 24, Ring Road up to the Barapullah flyover, 4th Avenue, Lodhi Road, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg and Panchsheel Marg.
Restrictions, however, are not applicable to Delhi Police vehicles, ambulances, fire tenders and other emergency service vehicles.
Original news source http://sify.com/news/100-motorists-face-action-for-entering-games-lanes-news-national-kj1w4bgjjed.html
Harried commuters turn to Metro to escape traffic snarls
Monday, Sep 27, 2010
Footfalls on the Delhi Metro went up Monday as harried commuters opted for it to escape the huge traffic snarls on key roads and the fewer and overcrowded buses.
Long lines of traffic were seen as the traffic police enforced the dedicated lanes for Commonwealth Games-related vehicles and forced over 1,500 Blueline public transport buses off the road, leading to a shortage of buses in the public transport system.
Traffic snarls were reported in places like Sarai Kale Khan, the DND flyover from Noida, the Mathura Road and Ashram intersection, the Delhi Traffic Police said.
Over 1,500 Blueline buses plying on 132 routes, mostly passing through central Delhi and near the Games venues, were taken off roads from Sunday till Oct 16 to ease traffic congestion.
'Usually the Delhi Metro has increased ridership Monday, but with the traffic snarls and the Blueline buses not plying on the roads, there was definitely an increase in the Metro ridership but the exact figures cannot be divulged as of now,' a Metro official told IANS.
The Delhi Metro runs a fleet of 129 trains on a network of 138 km and 117 stations. The average daily ridership on weekdays is about 14 lakh.
By next month, the Delhi Metro will have a network of over 185 km and 135 stations and is expected to carry about 20 lakh commuters every day.
Original news source http://sify.com/finance/harried-commuters-turn-to-metro-to-escape-traffic-snarls-news-default-kj1rkdfibcd.html
Footfalls on the Delhi Metro went up Monday as harried commuters opted for it to escape the huge traffic snarls on key roads and the fewer and overcrowded buses.
Long lines of traffic were seen as the traffic police enforced the dedicated lanes for Commonwealth Games-related vehicles and forced over 1,500 Blueline public transport buses off the road, leading to a shortage of buses in the public transport system.
Traffic snarls were reported in places like Sarai Kale Khan, the DND flyover from Noida, the Mathura Road and Ashram intersection, the Delhi Traffic Police said.
Over 1,500 Blueline buses plying on 132 routes, mostly passing through central Delhi and near the Games venues, were taken off roads from Sunday till Oct 16 to ease traffic congestion.
'Usually the Delhi Metro has increased ridership Monday, but with the traffic snarls and the Blueline buses not plying on the roads, there was definitely an increase in the Metro ridership but the exact figures cannot be divulged as of now,' a Metro official told IANS.
The Delhi Metro runs a fleet of 129 trains on a network of 138 km and 117 stations. The average daily ridership on weekdays is about 14 lakh.
By next month, the Delhi Metro will have a network of over 185 km and 135 stations and is expected to carry about 20 lakh commuters every day.
Original news source http://sify.com/finance/harried-commuters-turn-to-metro-to-escape-traffic-snarls-news-default-kj1rkdfibcd.html
Cops ask PWD to stop work on second FOB
Monday, Sep 27, 2010
Citing security concerns, the police on Sunday evening told Public Works Department (PWD) to stop work on second arched foot overbridge (FOB). The move will again change the traffic circulation plan that will be implemented during the Games for visitors.
"Security agencies don't want labourers to work in that area and they want to secure the entire parking area. We had mobilized our manpower and were on the job to build the FOB using iron wire assembly method. But now the contractor has been told to withdraw its manpower from the spot," said a PWD official.
He added the decision came as a surprise for all officials who had geared up for completing the challenging task after a major setback on Tuesday when an FOB which was under construction came crashing down, injuring 27 labourers. "Construction of a bridge by the Army at the site where the FOB had collapsed on Tuesday would bring some relief. But scrapping the plan to construct the other FOB would mean spectators would have to take a long detour," said the official.
The two FOBs were designed to connect the Games venue to a park-and-ride lot at the Safdarjung airport.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Cops-ask-PWD-to-stop-work-on-second-FOB/articleshow/6633390.cms#ixzz10jAeYzR4
Citing security concerns, the police on Sunday evening told Public Works Department (PWD) to stop work on second arched foot overbridge (FOB). The move will again change the traffic circulation plan that will be implemented during the Games for visitors.
"Security agencies don't want labourers to work in that area and they want to secure the entire parking area. We had mobilized our manpower and were on the job to build the FOB using iron wire assembly method. But now the contractor has been told to withdraw its manpower from the spot," said a PWD official.
He added the decision came as a surprise for all officials who had geared up for completing the challenging task after a major setback on Tuesday when an FOB which was under construction came crashing down, injuring 27 labourers. "Construction of a bridge by the Army at the site where the FOB had collapsed on Tuesday would bring some relief. But scrapping the plan to construct the other FOB would mean spectators would have to take a long detour," said the official.
The two FOBs were designed to connect the Games venue to a park-and-ride lot at the Safdarjung airport.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Cops-ask-PWD-to-stop-work-on-second-FOB/articleshow/6633390.cms#ixzz10jAeYzR4
Delhi Police struggle to manage traffic
Sunday, Sep 26, 2010
Five years ago, when the national urban transport policy was drafted, Indian policy makers finally agreed to follow the international best practices and engineered a lateral shift of focus to "moving people, not vehicles". And that prompted a series of new initiatives on road, from experimenting with BRT and bulk buying of quality buses to pumping in huge resources to expand the metro rail network.
The shift in the official transport philosophy despite being not fully implemented, has come in handy as the traffic management team of Delhi Police with 5,500 personnel and 1,200 volunteers in hand, is virtually struggling to convince car users to use the public transport mode atleast during the Commonwealth Games.
Both Delhi Metro and DTC have made elaborate plans to accommodate more commuters between October 3 and 14, but the main challenge in manning the 105 km-long Commonwealth Games lanes comes from the crude fact that Delhi has 70 lakh motor vehicles, which is even 35 percent more than that of Beijing.
With the prices of cars remaining almost flat for several years now, and the income levels of people living in the metro cities and their bankability moving up, the number of private vehicles on Indian roads are bound to rise. And that has raised doubts whether building more flyovers and underpasses is the right solution in tackling traffic in large Indian cities.
"We need to change our mindset and reduce the usage of private vehicles. Otherwise, no number of roads and flyovers can help. If we do the right planning, 50% of the job is done," says Dr S Gangopadhyay, director of New Delhi-based Central Road Research Institute.
Though it is too early to conclude that there would be chaos on Delhi's roads during the days of Commonwealth Games, such experiences may force the government to seriously think of bolstering public transport mode. Gaurav Gupta, managing director of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and a strong supporter of public transport, says how Beijing inducted 26,000 new buses to strengthen the public transport ahead of the Olympics.
"Just a laissez faire policy of letting personal vehicles increase every year would not help. Singapore has done exemplary work. Beijing's odd and even number rule to reduce vehicles on road is commendable," says Gupta. As more and more city buses like those run by KSRTC have best of the fleet, including those of Mercedes-Benz buses, and have adopted electronic ticketing machines (ETMs), travelling by bus may no longer be an irritant for most upper middle class Indian families who still prefer to travel in their private vehicles.
OP Agarwal, an urban transport adviser in the World Bank, points to the fact that a car occupies atleast six square meters of road space. "But on average, a car carries only two people. So, the space that should be allocated to it need not be more than 0.7 square metres. Therefore, a minimum of 5.3 square meters of precious road space gets wasted by each car," he says.
Significantly, Singapore is a classic example of how investment in high quality public transport system works well for a city. On the other hand, Brazil's Curitiba has demonstrated how land use plans could be perfectly integrated with transport plans. "It is necessary to review India's land use plans in such a way that more people live and work near such public transport stations. This will encourage greater use of public transport as a whole," Agarwal from the Bank adds.
Even in India, Ahmedabad's successful BRT model has kindled hopes that middle class commuters may finally leave their personal vehicles. Captain Dilip Mahajan, deputy Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation says: "That 30,000 people in the city are no longer using their personal vehicles demonstrates the success of BRT here. About 80,000 people use the BRT every day".
Though the BRT fiasco in Delhi has slowed down the speed of this transition from the use of private vehicles to public transport mode, there is no debate over which way the Indian traffic is finally heading towards. If Indian urban conglomerates want to be the global cities, they can't ignore perfect planning and traffic management. What the policy makers need to do now is to pick up desi success stories like Delhi Metro and the Ahmedabad BRT to formulate future action plans.
Original news source http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/CWG-Delhi-Police-struggle-to-manage-traffic/articleshow/6628419.cms
Five years ago, when the national urban transport policy was drafted, Indian policy makers finally agreed to follow the international best practices and engineered a lateral shift of focus to "moving people, not vehicles". And that prompted a series of new initiatives on road, from experimenting with BRT and bulk buying of quality buses to pumping in huge resources to expand the metro rail network.
The shift in the official transport philosophy despite being not fully implemented, has come in handy as the traffic management team of Delhi Police with 5,500 personnel and 1,200 volunteers in hand, is virtually struggling to convince car users to use the public transport mode atleast during the Commonwealth Games.
Both Delhi Metro and DTC have made elaborate plans to accommodate more commuters between October 3 and 14, but the main challenge in manning the 105 km-long Commonwealth Games lanes comes from the crude fact that Delhi has 70 lakh motor vehicles, which is even 35 percent more than that of Beijing.
With the prices of cars remaining almost flat for several years now, and the income levels of people living in the metro cities and their bankability moving up, the number of private vehicles on Indian roads are bound to rise. And that has raised doubts whether building more flyovers and underpasses is the right solution in tackling traffic in large Indian cities.
"We need to change our mindset and reduce the usage of private vehicles. Otherwise, no number of roads and flyovers can help. If we do the right planning, 50% of the job is done," says Dr S Gangopadhyay, director of New Delhi-based Central Road Research Institute.
Though it is too early to conclude that there would be chaos on Delhi's roads during the days of Commonwealth Games, such experiences may force the government to seriously think of bolstering public transport mode. Gaurav Gupta, managing director of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and a strong supporter of public transport, says how Beijing inducted 26,000 new buses to strengthen the public transport ahead of the Olympics.
"Just a laissez faire policy of letting personal vehicles increase every year would not help. Singapore has done exemplary work. Beijing's odd and even number rule to reduce vehicles on road is commendable," says Gupta. As more and more city buses like those run by KSRTC have best of the fleet, including those of Mercedes-Benz buses, and have adopted electronic ticketing machines (ETMs), travelling by bus may no longer be an irritant for most upper middle class Indian families who still prefer to travel in their private vehicles.
OP Agarwal, an urban transport adviser in the World Bank, points to the fact that a car occupies atleast six square meters of road space. "But on average, a car carries only two people. So, the space that should be allocated to it need not be more than 0.7 square metres. Therefore, a minimum of 5.3 square meters of precious road space gets wasted by each car," he says.
Significantly, Singapore is a classic example of how investment in high quality public transport system works well for a city. On the other hand, Brazil's Curitiba has demonstrated how land use plans could be perfectly integrated with transport plans. "It is necessary to review India's land use plans in such a way that more people live and work near such public transport stations. This will encourage greater use of public transport as a whole," Agarwal from the Bank adds.
Even in India, Ahmedabad's successful BRT model has kindled hopes that middle class commuters may finally leave their personal vehicles. Captain Dilip Mahajan, deputy Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation says: "That 30,000 people in the city are no longer using their personal vehicles demonstrates the success of BRT here. About 80,000 people use the BRT every day".
Though the BRT fiasco in Delhi has slowed down the speed of this transition from the use of private vehicles to public transport mode, there is no debate over which way the Indian traffic is finally heading towards. If Indian urban conglomerates want to be the global cities, they can't ignore perfect planning and traffic management. What the policy makers need to do now is to pick up desi success stories like Delhi Metro and the Ahmedabad BRT to formulate future action plans.
Original news source http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/CWG-Delhi-Police-struggle-to-manage-traffic/articleshow/6628419.cms
Park-&-ride facility opened at Safdarjung
Sunday, Sep 26, 2010
The park-and-ride facility at the Safdarjung Airport was inaugurated on Saturday. It has been developed for parking of vehicles of delegates and officials headed towards the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during the Games. While chief minister Sheila Dikshit was scheduled to inaugurate the facility and three foot-overbridges all projects of New Delhi Municipal Council she did not turn up due to her engagements at the Games Village.
The park-and-ride facility will provide a total parking area of 1,70,000sqm and will accommodate 3000 cars, 6000 two-wheelers and 450 buses. "The project, which was completed in a period of 10 months, also includes public information centre, security chambers, separate waiting hall for public and crew, frisking hall and public convenience units. Close-circuit TVs and security equipment have also been installed by ECIL,'' said an NDMC official.
Meanwhile, in the absence of Dikshit and NDMC chairman Parimal Rai who was also at the Village NDMC vice-chairperson Tajdar Babbar and other NDMC members unveiled the four projects.
The three foot-overbridges at Mother Teresa Crescent, Africa Avenue and Park Street in front of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital were also inaugurated. "The design of FOB on Mother Teresa Crescent has been kept simple in view of its proximity to the Presidential Estate. It has been constructed at a cost of Rs 4.65 crore and has both escalators and staircases,'' an official said. The FOB is situated near Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Aquatic Stadium which will hold the swimming events of the Games.
According to NDMC, the FOB on Park Street is the first of its kind in Delhi which has got escalators, lifts and staircase. It has been completed in 10 months at a cost of Rs 5.62 crore and is located near Talkatora Indoor Stadium. The FOB at Africa Avenue has been built at a cost of Rs 4.34 crore and is situated near Sarojini Nagar bus depot.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi also unveiled its FOB located at Bhishm Pitamah Marg. Leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, inaugurated it.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Park-ride-facility-opened-at-Safdarjung/articleshow/6627810.cms#ixzz10jDGrCV4
The park-and-ride facility at the Safdarjung Airport was inaugurated on Saturday. It has been developed for parking of vehicles of delegates and officials headed towards the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during the Games. While chief minister Sheila Dikshit was scheduled to inaugurate the facility and three foot-overbridges all projects of New Delhi Municipal Council she did not turn up due to her engagements at the Games Village.
The park-and-ride facility will provide a total parking area of 1,70,000sqm and will accommodate 3000 cars, 6000 two-wheelers and 450 buses. "The project, which was completed in a period of 10 months, also includes public information centre, security chambers, separate waiting hall for public and crew, frisking hall and public convenience units. Close-circuit TVs and security equipment have also been installed by ECIL,'' said an NDMC official.
Meanwhile, in the absence of Dikshit and NDMC chairman Parimal Rai who was also at the Village NDMC vice-chairperson Tajdar Babbar and other NDMC members unveiled the four projects.
The three foot-overbridges at Mother Teresa Crescent, Africa Avenue and Park Street in front of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital were also inaugurated. "The design of FOB on Mother Teresa Crescent has been kept simple in view of its proximity to the Presidential Estate. It has been constructed at a cost of Rs 4.65 crore and has both escalators and staircases,'' an official said. The FOB is situated near Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Aquatic Stadium which will hold the swimming events of the Games.
According to NDMC, the FOB on Park Street is the first of its kind in Delhi which has got escalators, lifts and staircase. It has been completed in 10 months at a cost of Rs 5.62 crore and is located near Talkatora Indoor Stadium. The FOB at Africa Avenue has been built at a cost of Rs 4.34 crore and is situated near Sarojini Nagar bus depot.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi also unveiled its FOB located at Bhishm Pitamah Marg. Leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, inaugurated it.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Park-ride-facility-opened-at-Safdarjung/articleshow/6627810.cms#ixzz10jDGrCV4
Govt rejects 17-hr lane ban demand
Sunday, Sep 26, 2010
The Delhi government rejected the proposal of various Commonwealth Games participating countries of not allowing use of dedicated lanes for 17 hours a day. At a meeting with Chef de Missions of the participating countries, Delhi government officials maintained that blocking the lanes from 6 am to 11 pm would create inconvenience to the public at large. The officials said that the lanes will be blocked for the public during the movement of Games vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Delhi traffic police said that the dedicated CWG lanes between Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Games Village will remain closed to the public on Sunday. As a number of athletes and trainers will arrive on Sunday, the dedicated Games lanes will be closed for the general public. "Road leading to Panchsheel Marg via NH-8, Ring Road, Barapulla elevated road, Fourth Avenue, Lodhi Road, Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kemal Ataturk Marg will be closed from Sunday to October 16 from 8 am to 8 pm as a number of players are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. People are advised to take alternative routes. We will keep including more stretches as and when the need will arise. We will start imposing restriction on the dedicated lanes as and when the Games traffic will increase," joint commissioner, traffic, Satyendra Garg said. These restrictions are not applicable to the motor vehicles of Delhi police, ambulances, fire brigades and other emergency service vehicles. Some 7,000 participants and officials from 71 teams are expected to attend the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games, India's biggest sporting event after the 1982 Asian Games.
Original news source http://www.asianage.com/delhi/govt-rejects-17-hr-lane-ban-demand-636
The Delhi government rejected the proposal of various Commonwealth Games participating countries of not allowing use of dedicated lanes for 17 hours a day. At a meeting with Chef de Missions of the participating countries, Delhi government officials maintained that blocking the lanes from 6 am to 11 pm would create inconvenience to the public at large. The officials said that the lanes will be blocked for the public during the movement of Games vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Delhi traffic police said that the dedicated CWG lanes between Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Games Village will remain closed to the public on Sunday. As a number of athletes and trainers will arrive on Sunday, the dedicated Games lanes will be closed for the general public. "Road leading to Panchsheel Marg via NH-8, Ring Road, Barapulla elevated road, Fourth Avenue, Lodhi Road, Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kemal Ataturk Marg will be closed from Sunday to October 16 from 8 am to 8 pm as a number of players are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. People are advised to take alternative routes. We will keep including more stretches as and when the need will arise. We will start imposing restriction on the dedicated lanes as and when the Games traffic will increase," joint commissioner, traffic, Satyendra Garg said. These restrictions are not applicable to the motor vehicles of Delhi police, ambulances, fire brigades and other emergency service vehicles. Some 7,000 participants and officials from 71 teams are expected to attend the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games, India's biggest sporting event after the 1982 Asian Games.
Original news source http://www.asianage.com/delhi/govt-rejects-17-hr-lane-ban-demand-636
Games lanes will remain shut for 12 hours from today
Sunday, Sep 26, 2010
Stretches in south Delhi and New Delhi are almost certain to face traffic snarls as the Commonwealth Games lanes will be reserved from 8 am to 8 pm.
Some stretches will have only one lane for regular commuters. Motorists need to be aware while driving on the Games routes. The Delhi Traffic Police will start penalising the violators of the Games lane. Offenders will be fined Rs 2,000.
Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Satyendra Garg said: "To facilitate Games-related traffic, exclusive lanes will be maintained from 8 am to 8 pm on certain stretches from Sunday. These will be from the Games Village-NH 24-Ring Road (on the left) - Barapullah flyover - 4th Avenue - Lodhi Road- Safdarjung Road-Kamal Ataturk Marg- Panchsheel Marg.
The lanes will remain exclusive till October 16." A traffic police officer said people will be informed in advance through SMS, websites and the media about the lanes restriction and they should plan alternate routes accordingly. "People can also identify the restriction through the deployment of traffic police personnel, boards and bollards," the officer added.
So, if you notice traffic cops deployed on a particular lane or signs about the enforcement of lane reservation, better avoid the stretch.
The officer said all commuters are expected to maintain the sanctity of the dedicated lanes. They should avoid getting into the lanes and if they inadvertently enter them, they should immediately come out.
"Motorists have a tendency to cross the yellow line when they don't find traffic personnel. But, they should be aware about the penalty and there will be zero tolerance towards violations," the officer added.
The public has been advised to avoid stretches with CWG lanes as much as possible, especially Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, Siri Fort Road, Harsukh Marg, Purana Qila Road and Mother Teresa Crescent.
A senior traffic police officer said the main purpose is to facilitate the movement of Games participants with minimum trouble to general commuters. Keeping this in mind, the traffic police have announced about need- based restrictions on CWG routes.
In a meeting attended by top Delhi government officers, the police, the Games Organising Committee, and the Delhi Development Authority, some chef de missions proposed blocking the dedicated lanes from 6 am to 11 pm for commuters. But the request was turned down by the government.
Original news source http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/114060/Sports/games-lanes-will-remain-shut-for-12-hours-from-today.html
Stretches in south Delhi and New Delhi are almost certain to face traffic snarls as the Commonwealth Games lanes will be reserved from 8 am to 8 pm.
Some stretches will have only one lane for regular commuters. Motorists need to be aware while driving on the Games routes. The Delhi Traffic Police will start penalising the violators of the Games lane. Offenders will be fined Rs 2,000.
Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Satyendra Garg said: "To facilitate Games-related traffic, exclusive lanes will be maintained from 8 am to 8 pm on certain stretches from Sunday. These will be from the Games Village-NH 24-Ring Road (on the left) - Barapullah flyover - 4th Avenue - Lodhi Road- Safdarjung Road-Kamal Ataturk Marg- Panchsheel Marg.
The lanes will remain exclusive till October 16." A traffic police officer said people will be informed in advance through SMS, websites and the media about the lanes restriction and they should plan alternate routes accordingly. "People can also identify the restriction through the deployment of traffic police personnel, boards and bollards," the officer added.
So, if you notice traffic cops deployed on a particular lane or signs about the enforcement of lane reservation, better avoid the stretch.
The officer said all commuters are expected to maintain the sanctity of the dedicated lanes. They should avoid getting into the lanes and if they inadvertently enter them, they should immediately come out.
"Motorists have a tendency to cross the yellow line when they don't find traffic personnel. But, they should be aware about the penalty and there will be zero tolerance towards violations," the officer added.
The public has been advised to avoid stretches with CWG lanes as much as possible, especially Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, Siri Fort Road, Harsukh Marg, Purana Qila Road and Mother Teresa Crescent.
A senior traffic police officer said the main purpose is to facilitate the movement of Games participants with minimum trouble to general commuters. Keeping this in mind, the traffic police have announced about need- based restrictions on CWG routes.
In a meeting attended by top Delhi government officers, the police, the Games Organising Committee, and the Delhi Development Authority, some chef de missions proposed blocking the dedicated lanes from 6 am to 11 pm for commuters. But the request was turned down by the government.
Original news source http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/114060/Sports/games-lanes-will-remain-shut-for-12-hours-from-today.html
Friday, September 24, 2010
From Village to Nehru stadium in 7 min flat
Saturday, Sep 25, 2010
The completion of the elevated road over Barapullah drain was delayed by several months but now that the corridor is ready, the wait seems well worth it.
Commuters will be able to cover the distance between the Commonwealth Games Village and Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in south Delhi in seven minutes flat, thanks to the new road. The journey earlier used to take at least 40 minutes.
After missing several deadlines, the elevated road over Barapullah was formally opened for Games traffic on Friday.
The four- km stretch is the first such elevated road in the Capital.
As of now, it would be exclusively used to ferry Games participants from the athletes' Village near Akshardham temple to the main venue and back. The road will be opened to general traffic after the Games.
State public works department minister Raj Kumar Chouhan flagged off 240 low-floor air-conditioned buses from the Sarai Kale Khan side to the stadium. " I am proud to dedicate the elevated road to the people of the city. After the Games, it will provide a key link between east and south Delhi," he said.
The road was built by the Gurgaon- based DSC Constructions Pvt Ltd at a cost of `498 crore.
The dual carriageway having three lanes each from Sarai Kale Khan to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will ensure a smooth flow of traffic between east Delhi and other parts of the Capital.
The corridor would greatly benefit Ring Road commuters coming from east Delhi, NH-24 and DND flyway. They would be able to come straight to the CGO complex and the INA Market through a smooth, traffic- signal free movement, a PWD official said.
Original news source http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/113980/Sports/from-village-to-nehru-stadium-in-7-min-flat.html
The completion of the elevated road over Barapullah drain was delayed by several months but now that the corridor is ready, the wait seems well worth it.
Commuters will be able to cover the distance between the Commonwealth Games Village and Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in south Delhi in seven minutes flat, thanks to the new road. The journey earlier used to take at least 40 minutes.
After missing several deadlines, the elevated road over Barapullah was formally opened for Games traffic on Friday.
The four- km stretch is the first such elevated road in the Capital.
As of now, it would be exclusively used to ferry Games participants from the athletes' Village near Akshardham temple to the main venue and back. The road will be opened to general traffic after the Games.
State public works department minister Raj Kumar Chouhan flagged off 240 low-floor air-conditioned buses from the Sarai Kale Khan side to the stadium. " I am proud to dedicate the elevated road to the people of the city. After the Games, it will provide a key link between east and south Delhi," he said.
The road was built by the Gurgaon- based DSC Constructions Pvt Ltd at a cost of `498 crore.
The dual carriageway having three lanes each from Sarai Kale Khan to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will ensure a smooth flow of traffic between east Delhi and other parts of the Capital.
The corridor would greatly benefit Ring Road commuters coming from east Delhi, NH-24 and DND flyway. They would be able to come straight to the CGO complex and the INA Market through a smooth, traffic- signal free movement, a PWD official said.
Original news source http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/113980/Sports/from-village-to-nehru-stadium-in-7-min-flat.html
Games lane restrictions on Saturday
Friday, Sep 24, 2010
The exclusive Commonwealth Games (CWG) lanes between Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Games Village will remain closed to the public on Saturday, Delhi Traffic Police said.
As many athletes and their trainers will arrive Saturday, the dedicated Games lanes will be closed for the general public between 9.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m., said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of traffic.
'All the lanes are expected to be fully operational by Monday as most of the athletes and officials are expected to check in by Sunday,' said Garg.
'People are advised to take alternative to the roads having Games lanes, starting from Monday,' he added.
These restrictions are not applicable to the motor vehicles of Delhi Police, ambulances, fire brigades and other emergency service vehicles.
Some 7,000 participants and officials from 71 teams are expected to attend the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, India's biggest sporting event after the 1982 Asian Games.
Original news source http://www.indiatalkies.com/2010/09/games-lane-restrictions-saturday.html
The exclusive Commonwealth Games (CWG) lanes between Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Games Village will remain closed to the public on Saturday, Delhi Traffic Police said.
As many athletes and their trainers will arrive Saturday, the dedicated Games lanes will be closed for the general public between 9.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m., said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of traffic.
'All the lanes are expected to be fully operational by Monday as most of the athletes and officials are expected to check in by Sunday,' said Garg.
'People are advised to take alternative to the roads having Games lanes, starting from Monday,' he added.
These restrictions are not applicable to the motor vehicles of Delhi Police, ambulances, fire brigades and other emergency service vehicles.
Some 7,000 participants and officials from 71 teams are expected to attend the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, India's biggest sporting event after the 1982 Asian Games.
Original news source http://www.indiatalkies.com/2010/09/games-lane-restrictions-saturday.html
Barapullah Road ready for use
Friday, Sep 24, 2010
After several missed deadlines and controversies, the four-kilometre Barapullah elevated road — which recently hit headlines when a pedestrian bridge, which was a critical component of this project, collapsed — was finally completed and handed over to the government on Thursday. It took 20 months to complete this road that will be used by the athletes and the officials to reach Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from the Games Village.
On Thursday, the Public Works Department (PWD) handed over the road to the government and Delhi Traffic Police started conducting trial run on it by pressing 240 DTC buses to ply on it. The road has been built at a cost of R498 crore and is expected to ferry 10,000 participants and officials during the Games.
"We will test out mass movement on the stretch on Friday and hopefully by Monday we will start ferrying athletes," said Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic).
Hindustan Times visited the stretch on Thursday afternoon and witnessed that many workers were giving finishing touch to the elevated road.
"We will work over night and by Friday morning all works will be completed," said a PWD official.
Though the elevated corridor would initially benefit the Games officials and athletes, once the games are over lakhs of commuters who travel between east and south Delhi will heave a sigh of relief, as it will be opened for public.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Barapullah-Road-ready-for-use/Article1-603916.aspx
After several missed deadlines and controversies, the four-kilometre Barapullah elevated road — which recently hit headlines when a pedestrian bridge, which was a critical component of this project, collapsed — was finally completed and handed over to the government on Thursday. It took 20 months to complete this road that will be used by the athletes and the officials to reach Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from the Games Village.
On Thursday, the Public Works Department (PWD) handed over the road to the government and Delhi Traffic Police started conducting trial run on it by pressing 240 DTC buses to ply on it. The road has been built at a cost of R498 crore and is expected to ferry 10,000 participants and officials during the Games.
"We will test out mass movement on the stretch on Friday and hopefully by Monday we will start ferrying athletes," said Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic).
Hindustan Times visited the stretch on Thursday afternoon and witnessed that many workers were giving finishing touch to the elevated road.
"We will work over night and by Friday morning all works will be completed," said a PWD official.
Though the elevated corridor would initially benefit the Games officials and athletes, once the games are over lakhs of commuters who travel between east and south Delhi will heave a sigh of relief, as it will be opened for public.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Barapullah-Road-ready-for-use/Article1-603916.aspx
Partial restrictions on Games lane today
Friday, Sep 24, 2010
The Delhi Traffic Police has decided to impose partial restriction on general traffic movement on Friday — between 11 am and 12 noon and between 10 pm and 11 pm— on the Commonwealth Games lanes between the IGI Airport and the Games Village. The traffic police will facilitate the movement of delegates arriving at the airport with fixed restrictions ranging between 5-10 minutes. "A traffic pilot will head the Games contingent and the public is advised to follow instructions and give way. Restrictions would be imposed on Games movement need basis," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg said.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Around-town/686938/
The Delhi Traffic Police has decided to impose partial restriction on general traffic movement on Friday — between 11 am and 12 noon and between 10 pm and 11 pm— on the Commonwealth Games lanes between the IGI Airport and the Games Village. The traffic police will facilitate the movement of delegates arriving at the airport with fixed restrictions ranging between 5-10 minutes. "A traffic pilot will head the Games contingent and the public is advised to follow instructions and give way. Restrictions would be imposed on Games movement need basis," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg said.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Around-town/686938/
PWD puts bridge reconstruction plans on hold
Thursday, Sep 23, 2010
Abandoning its plan to reconstruct the pedestrian bridge that collapsed on Tuesday, the Public Works Department (PWD) will explore alternative options for spectators to reach the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium. In a meeting with chief minister Sheila Dikshit, senior PWD officials decided to carry out a joint inspection of the Games venue along with the traffic police and work out a new transportation plan.
Senior PWD officials said the alternate plan would also require last-minute changes in the security plans around the entry to the JLN Stadium from its southern and eastern gates.
According to officials, the spectators parking their vehicles at Safdurjung Airport and using park-and-ride service will alight at the Bhisham Pitamah Parking lot and walk at least 500 metres more towards the eastern gate of the stadium.
"They will have to go under the Barapullah elevated road, where it starts descending next to the stadium, and enter the complex," PWD secretary K.K.Sharma said. The spectators were to earlier walk just about 200 metres towards the stadium and take the pedestrian bridge that collapsed to cross the road and enter the stadium, Sharma said.
The new plan, said officials, will require opening of a barricade which was otherwise to be closed. "We'll take the required permissions. Whatever changes are made now will have to be cleared for security," said a senior PWD official. The PWD has also suspended the construction of another pedestrian bridge of the same rainbow design. "We cannot carry out the construction before the Games now. Work on the bridge cannot begin before the two-member inquiry committee submits its report," an official said.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/PWD-puts-bridge-reconstruction-plans-on-hold/Article1-603554.aspx
Abandoning its plan to reconstruct the pedestrian bridge that collapsed on Tuesday, the Public Works Department (PWD) will explore alternative options for spectators to reach the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium. In a meeting with chief minister Sheila Dikshit, senior PWD officials decided to carry out a joint inspection of the Games venue along with the traffic police and work out a new transportation plan.
Senior PWD officials said the alternate plan would also require last-minute changes in the security plans around the entry to the JLN Stadium from its southern and eastern gates.
According to officials, the spectators parking their vehicles at Safdurjung Airport and using park-and-ride service will alight at the Bhisham Pitamah Parking lot and walk at least 500 metres more towards the eastern gate of the stadium.
"They will have to go under the Barapullah elevated road, where it starts descending next to the stadium, and enter the complex," PWD secretary K.K.Sharma said. The spectators were to earlier walk just about 200 metres towards the stadium and take the pedestrian bridge that collapsed to cross the road and enter the stadium, Sharma said.
The new plan, said officials, will require opening of a barricade which was otherwise to be closed. "We'll take the required permissions. Whatever changes are made now will have to be cleared for security," said a senior PWD official. The PWD has also suspended the construction of another pedestrian bridge of the same rainbow design. "We cannot carry out the construction before the Games now. Work on the bridge cannot begin before the two-member inquiry committee submits its report," an official said.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/PWD-puts-bridge-reconstruction-plans-on-hold/Article1-603554.aspx
Road unravels 48 hrs after being laid
Thursday, Sep 23, 2010
A portion of a newly streetscaped road near Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium, opposite Sai Baba mandir, got damaged barely 48 hours after the stretch was laid and tiled by a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) consultant.
The damage, which led to massive jams, has exposed the quality of work which was unable to sustain traffic load for even a few days.
The affected stretch on Bhishma Pitamah Marg is made of cobbled stones to restrict the speed of vehicles moving over it. ''The stones were put in place barely two days ago and have already started coming off. They were being repaired in the morning and this led to massive traffic jams on the main road,'' said sources. The stones had reportedly not been fixed properly to the raised portion of the road and had started to disintegrate.
MCD, meanwhile, contended that this was only a ''minor'' damage. ''The road has not caved in. Only some stones from the cobbled portion have come off and are in the process of being repaired. It could have been caused due to the rain,'' said an MCD official.
Streetscaping work on the stretch has been mired in controversy ever since the work started with Delhi Traffic police raising objections to construction of dedicated tracks for non-motorised vehicles (NMVs) by taking away almost one lane of road space meant for all other categories of vehicles. The cobbled stretch itself, it was felt, will not serve any purpose and will instead make the ride bumpy for motorists leading to traffic snarls.
About two weeks ago, the slopes for the cobbled stretches were broken and reconstructed as gradient of the old design was not smooth. The cost of carrying out streetscaping work along Bhishma Pitamah Marg is Rs 4 crore and the civic agency claimed that the cost of correcting the slopes was borne by the contractor.
Meanwhile, the constructed crossing is being used for parking by people visiting the Sai Baba temple. Said Radha, a resident of Lodhi Colony, ''The pedestrian crossing is used by people for parking vehicles with the road width having shrunk already due to streetscaping work. Anyone passing through this stretch is bound to be stuck in traffic jams due to this. Now, they have started construction of a similar crossing in front of Sai Baba temple and this will add to the traffic chaos in the area.'' MCD claimed that they had started work in front of the temple only after getting requisite permission from the traffic police.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Road-unravels-48-hrs-after-being-laid/articleshow/6609875.cms#ixzz10QVlgQjy
A portion of a newly streetscaped road near Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium, opposite Sai Baba mandir, got damaged barely 48 hours after the stretch was laid and tiled by a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) consultant.
The damage, which led to massive jams, has exposed the quality of work which was unable to sustain traffic load for even a few days.
The affected stretch on Bhishma Pitamah Marg is made of cobbled stones to restrict the speed of vehicles moving over it. ''The stones were put in place barely two days ago and have already started coming off. They were being repaired in the morning and this led to massive traffic jams on the main road,'' said sources. The stones had reportedly not been fixed properly to the raised portion of the road and had started to disintegrate.
MCD, meanwhile, contended that this was only a ''minor'' damage. ''The road has not caved in. Only some stones from the cobbled portion have come off and are in the process of being repaired. It could have been caused due to the rain,'' said an MCD official.
Streetscaping work on the stretch has been mired in controversy ever since the work started with Delhi Traffic police raising objections to construction of dedicated tracks for non-motorised vehicles (NMVs) by taking away almost one lane of road space meant for all other categories of vehicles. The cobbled stretch itself, it was felt, will not serve any purpose and will instead make the ride bumpy for motorists leading to traffic snarls.
About two weeks ago, the slopes for the cobbled stretches were broken and reconstructed as gradient of the old design was not smooth. The cost of carrying out streetscaping work along Bhishma Pitamah Marg is Rs 4 crore and the civic agency claimed that the cost of correcting the slopes was borne by the contractor.
Meanwhile, the constructed crossing is being used for parking by people visiting the Sai Baba temple. Said Radha, a resident of Lodhi Colony, ''The pedestrian crossing is used by people for parking vehicles with the road width having shrunk already due to streetscaping work. Anyone passing through this stretch is bound to be stuck in traffic jams due to this. Now, they have started construction of a similar crossing in front of Sai Baba temple and this will add to the traffic chaos in the area.'' MCD claimed that they had started work in front of the temple only after getting requisite permission from the traffic police.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Road-unravels-48-hrs-after-being-laid/articleshow/6609875.cms#ixzz10QVlgQjy
Monday, September 20, 2010
Bridge over Yamuna closed as water continues to rise
Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010
The iron bridge over river Yamuna in Delhi has been closed once again as the river continued to flow above the danger level. This will affect rail traffic from Old Delhi Railway Station.
The water level has reached to 206.09 meters, more than a meter above the danger mark.
Flood threat loomed large over Delhi as neighbouring Haryana on Monday released 7.5 lakh cusec of water into Yamuna, the highest discharge in last 100 years on a single day.
Fearing a flood-like situation, Delhi government appealed to people living in low-lying areas to move to safer places and alerted concerned authorities to remain "extremely vigilant" in monitoring the situation.
Officials say the water level in Yamuna will keep on rising steadily for next two days.
Haryana had released a total of 6.53 lakh cusec of water into Yamuna on Sunday.
"The water level in the river may go up to 207 meters on Wednesday. We are constantly monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry," officials said. The state government has said all concerned agencies are fully prepared to meet with any eventualities.
The government on Monday shifted hundreds of people from Garhi Mandu, Usmanpur Pusta, Jagatpur Village and Shastri Nagar to relief camps. Over 3500 people shifted to relief camps set up by the government following flood-threat last week, are continuing to stay there.
Booster pumps have been installed in several areas along the river to pump out the water.
Officials, however, say there is no threat to the Games Village even if the water level rises further.
The water level in Yamuna had touched 206.78 meters on September 11 following huge discharge by Haryana, submerging several localities along the river.
In the last 40 years, the city had witnessed floods in 1967, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1988, 1995 and 1998 but the flood in 1978 was of serious nature as it had inundated areas in the city. The water level in Yamuna had touched 207.49 meter then, flooding vast areas in east Delhi.
Last month too, the Yamuna water level was above the danger level for several days, prompting authorities to shift a large number of people to relief camps. (With PTI Inputs)
Original news source http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/delhi-bridge-over-yamuna-closed-as-water-continues-to-rise-53573?cp
The iron bridge over river Yamuna in Delhi has been closed once again as the river continued to flow above the danger level. This will affect rail traffic from Old Delhi Railway Station.
The water level has reached to 206.09 meters, more than a meter above the danger mark.
Flood threat loomed large over Delhi as neighbouring Haryana on Monday released 7.5 lakh cusec of water into Yamuna, the highest discharge in last 100 years on a single day.
Fearing a flood-like situation, Delhi government appealed to people living in low-lying areas to move to safer places and alerted concerned authorities to remain "extremely vigilant" in monitoring the situation.
Officials say the water level in Yamuna will keep on rising steadily for next two days.
Haryana had released a total of 6.53 lakh cusec of water into Yamuna on Sunday.
"The water level in the river may go up to 207 meters on Wednesday. We are constantly monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry," officials said. The state government has said all concerned agencies are fully prepared to meet with any eventualities.
The government on Monday shifted hundreds of people from Garhi Mandu, Usmanpur Pusta, Jagatpur Village and Shastri Nagar to relief camps. Over 3500 people shifted to relief camps set up by the government following flood-threat last week, are continuing to stay there.
Booster pumps have been installed in several areas along the river to pump out the water.
Officials, however, say there is no threat to the Games Village even if the water level rises further.
The water level in Yamuna had touched 206.78 meters on September 11 following huge discharge by Haryana, submerging several localities along the river.
In the last 40 years, the city had witnessed floods in 1967, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1988, 1995 and 1998 but the flood in 1978 was of serious nature as it had inundated areas in the city. The water level in Yamuna had touched 207.49 meter then, flooding vast areas in east Delhi.
Last month too, the Yamuna water level was above the danger level for several days, prompting authorities to shift a large number of people to relief camps. (With PTI Inputs)
Original news source http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/delhi-bridge-over-yamuna-closed-as-water-continues-to-rise-53573?cp
Games lane restrictions only when needed: Traffic Police
Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010
Having "acclimatised" commuters to the Games lane discipline with extensive trials earlier this month, the Delhi Traffic Police is now trying to ensure the restricted lanes are used for normal traffic when there is no Games traffic. For this, the traffic police proposes to have advanced planning about the proposed routes to various venues and inform commuters about any particular restriction at least 24 hours in advance.
"We are fully geared and ready to start Games lane restrictions after successfully conducting several trial sessions. But there is no need to impose lane restrictions from Monday, as the athletes start arriving only on September 23," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg told Newsline.
"The idea was never to harass the common man driving on the road by restricting a lane for 24 hours a day, but to save him as much time as possible. Timed with Games movement, the lane restrictions would be imposed from Thursday. The restrictions would be made strictly on a need basis," Garg added. It had been earlier decided that the restrictions on segregated lanes for Games-related traffic would stay throughout the 12-day event.
"The trials have helped people understand what the restrictions would be like. During the period of restriction, however, enforcement would be very tough. We would take out a schedule of the routes and stadia that would face traffic restrictions 24 hours in advance to help people plan their routes better. Traffic advisories would be issued accordingly via SMS and Facebook alerts, on the Delhi Police website and through the print and broadcast media," Garg said.
Peak-hour trial run in Gurgaon today
GURGAON: More traffic mess is in store for Gurgaon with the traffic police planning to conduct a trial run on the CWG route from 4 pm on Tuesday. The route will begin from the Toll Plaza and the convoy will exit the main carriageway at Exit 7 near Signature Tower, then take Z Cross Roundabout towards Ardee City, Kendriya Vihar, Bestech Shopping Mall, Golf Course Road to end at the CRPF shooting range. "We will try to wind up the runs before the peak hour," said an official. She added that it was best to avoid the route for at lest an hour before and 30 minutes after the runs are being carried out.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/games-lane-restrictions-only-when-needed-traffic-police/685005/0
Having "acclimatised" commuters to the Games lane discipline with extensive trials earlier this month, the Delhi Traffic Police is now trying to ensure the restricted lanes are used for normal traffic when there is no Games traffic. For this, the traffic police proposes to have advanced planning about the proposed routes to various venues and inform commuters about any particular restriction at least 24 hours in advance.
"We are fully geared and ready to start Games lane restrictions after successfully conducting several trial sessions. But there is no need to impose lane restrictions from Monday, as the athletes start arriving only on September 23," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg told Newsline.
"The idea was never to harass the common man driving on the road by restricting a lane for 24 hours a day, but to save him as much time as possible. Timed with Games movement, the lane restrictions would be imposed from Thursday. The restrictions would be made strictly on a need basis," Garg added. It had been earlier decided that the restrictions on segregated lanes for Games-related traffic would stay throughout the 12-day event.
"The trials have helped people understand what the restrictions would be like. During the period of restriction, however, enforcement would be very tough. We would take out a schedule of the routes and stadia that would face traffic restrictions 24 hours in advance to help people plan their routes better. Traffic advisories would be issued accordingly via SMS and Facebook alerts, on the Delhi Police website and through the print and broadcast media," Garg said.
Peak-hour trial run in Gurgaon today
GURGAON: More traffic mess is in store for Gurgaon with the traffic police planning to conduct a trial run on the CWG route from 4 pm on Tuesday. The route will begin from the Toll Plaza and the convoy will exit the main carriageway at Exit 7 near Signature Tower, then take Z Cross Roundabout towards Ardee City, Kendriya Vihar, Bestech Shopping Mall, Golf Course Road to end at the CRPF shooting range. "We will try to wind up the runs before the peak hour," said an official. She added that it was best to avoid the route for at lest an hour before and 30 minutes after the runs are being carried out.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/games-lane-restrictions-only-when-needed-traffic-police/685005/0
MCD invites tenders for 220 parkings
Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010
In an effort to ease the parking woes of Delhi, the MCD has invited tenders for allotment of 220 authorized car or scooter parkings in the city. The civic body has brought out a public notice seeking tenders for allotment of the parking places on `as is where is' basis on license fee duration of two years. A majority of these sites are PWD roads where parking facility is being operated without any authorization, said Aamiya Chandra, head of the MCD remunerative project cell.
"Of the 220, re-tendering is being done for 40 parking sites. The licence of some of them has expired and in some cases the licensees have surrendered the sites. But a majority of the parking sites are unauthorized ones operating alongside PWD roads. There is a legitimate need for parking space at these locations and the motive here is to regularize the existing facilities through a proper channel and earn revenue,'' Chandra said. He added that traffic police has given clearance on some of these sites and for the rest talks are on with the authorities concerned. "Tenders will be withdrawn in cases where the approval is not granted for any particular project,'' said a MCD official.
The last date for submitting the tenders is October 7 and they will be opened the same day which means the new sites will be coming up only after the Commonwealth Games.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/MCD-invites-tenders-for-220-parkings/articleshow/6595433.cms#ixzz108cn4CtX
In an effort to ease the parking woes of Delhi, the MCD has invited tenders for allotment of 220 authorized car or scooter parkings in the city. The civic body has brought out a public notice seeking tenders for allotment of the parking places on `as is where is' basis on license fee duration of two years. A majority of these sites are PWD roads where parking facility is being operated without any authorization, said Aamiya Chandra, head of the MCD remunerative project cell.
"Of the 220, re-tendering is being done for 40 parking sites. The licence of some of them has expired and in some cases the licensees have surrendered the sites. But a majority of the parking sites are unauthorized ones operating alongside PWD roads. There is a legitimate need for parking space at these locations and the motive here is to regularize the existing facilities through a proper channel and earn revenue,'' Chandra said. He added that traffic police has given clearance on some of these sites and for the rest talks are on with the authorities concerned. "Tenders will be withdrawn in cases where the approval is not granted for any particular project,'' said a MCD official.
The last date for submitting the tenders is October 7 and they will be opened the same day which means the new sites will be coming up only after the Commonwealth Games.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/MCD-invites-tenders-for-220-parkings/articleshow/6595433.cms#ixzz108cn4CtX
On first day, LG's parking & pillion ban breached
Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010
A day after a meeting chaired by the lieutenant-governor, Tejendra Khanna, asked Delhi Police to ban parking within 100 metres of 470 sites identified as sensitive and not allow bikers with pillion riders in these areas, there was neither any notification, nor any action on the ground. Delhi Police said a notification was underway.
"The notification is ready and will be sent to all authorities concerned early on Tuesday. We respect the decisions taken at the meeting and we will do everything to implement them,'' said Bhagat. Delhi Police said they have also asked the management at these places to install CCTVs since they are high on the list of terror targets.
However, when Times City visited 10 spots mentioned in the list, the enormity of the task at hand became evident. At Turkman Gate, a PCR had asked drivers to move away their vehicles but they only managed to clear the front portion. Cars and three-wheelers remained parked on the adjacent roads, barely 20 metres from the spot.
At India Gate, policemen feigned ignorance. "We have not received any intimation about parking so far. We are on alert but would have preferred to have a metal detector,'' said a cop standing among parked cars, barely 80 metres from the monument.
At Safdargunj Tomb, no cops were present at the entrance. A lone traffic constable had no idea about the curbs imposed even as a staffer explained that parking was "official'' and that the police action of stopping parking within 100 metres of the monument was only for "illegal parking.'' A senior police officer explained that no such "distinctions'' will be made because this was a security issue.
Though bikers with pillion riders kept zipping past, the cops hardly reacted. Said a cop near Jantar Mantar (where parking was as rampant as at any place else): "It is impossible to stop someone who is moving in these places on a genuine purpose. We are, however, keeping a sharp eye for any suspicious character on two-wheelers.''
The worst-affected area, perhaps, was Connaught Place where cars were parked at almost every available spot. "We are shocked that there are PCRs only for the inner circle. We read in the papers that parking will not be allowed in the vicinity and hence opted for the Metro. Yet here, we find unrestricted parking,'' said Snigdha Gulati from the Punjabi Bagh area. The police said all necessary action to restrict parking will be taken from Tuesday when the notification is issued.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/On-first-day-LGs-parking-pillion-ban-breached/articleshow/6595437.cms#ixzz108c4MSiJ
A day after a meeting chaired by the lieutenant-governor, Tejendra Khanna, asked Delhi Police to ban parking within 100 metres of 470 sites identified as sensitive and not allow bikers with pillion riders in these areas, there was neither any notification, nor any action on the ground. Delhi Police said a notification was underway.
"The notification is ready and will be sent to all authorities concerned early on Tuesday. We respect the decisions taken at the meeting and we will do everything to implement them,'' said Bhagat. Delhi Police said they have also asked the management at these places to install CCTVs since they are high on the list of terror targets.
However, when Times City visited 10 spots mentioned in the list, the enormity of the task at hand became evident. At Turkman Gate, a PCR had asked drivers to move away their vehicles but they only managed to clear the front portion. Cars and three-wheelers remained parked on the adjacent roads, barely 20 metres from the spot.
At India Gate, policemen feigned ignorance. "We have not received any intimation about parking so far. We are on alert but would have preferred to have a metal detector,'' said a cop standing among parked cars, barely 80 metres from the monument.
At Safdargunj Tomb, no cops were present at the entrance. A lone traffic constable had no idea about the curbs imposed even as a staffer explained that parking was "official'' and that the police action of stopping parking within 100 metres of the monument was only for "illegal parking.'' A senior police officer explained that no such "distinctions'' will be made because this was a security issue.
Though bikers with pillion riders kept zipping past, the cops hardly reacted. Said a cop near Jantar Mantar (where parking was as rampant as at any place else): "It is impossible to stop someone who is moving in these places on a genuine purpose. We are, however, keeping a sharp eye for any suspicious character on two-wheelers.''
The worst-affected area, perhaps, was Connaught Place where cars were parked at almost every available spot. "We are shocked that there are PCRs only for the inner circle. We read in the papers that parking will not be allowed in the vicinity and hence opted for the Metro. Yet here, we find unrestricted parking,'' said Snigdha Gulati from the Punjabi Bagh area. The police said all necessary action to restrict parking will be taken from Tuesday when the notification is issued.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/On-first-day-LGs-parking-pillion-ban-breached/articleshow/6595437.cms#ixzz108c4MSiJ
No parking near 470 sites
Monday, Sep 20, 2010
Hours after the attack on two foreign tourists outside the historic Jama Masjid, Delhi Police came out with a list of 470 sites where security has been upgraded and restrictions imposed.
All such sites will have no parking within 100 metres. Also bikers with pillion riders will not be allowed anywhere near them. The decisions were taken as part of special security measures being implemented on the directions of the lieutenant-governor of Delhi.
Reacting to the incident at Jama Masjid which has led to a scare in the city, the lieutenant-governor, Tejendra Khanna, held an emergency meeting with the police commissioner, YS Dadwal, and senior officials of the agencies concerned to take stock of the situation on Sunday.
The meeting discussed the law and order situation and saw the LG issue directions to the CP to introduce special security measures with immediate effect. A senior official pointed out that there are 470 sites which have been identified as sensitive or high-risk in the city.
Thus the first step towards taking special measures to enhance security would be to put these points under strict vigil.
Delhi Police said they have also asked the officials at these places to install CCTVs since they are high on the list of possible targets for a terror attack.
"The security on premises have to be beefed up and we have asked them to deploy armed guards wherever required. We have also intensified patrolling and deployment at vital installations," added a police officer.
On the allegations made by the Shahi Imam and others at Jama Masjid that the requisite security measures were not in place despite reminders to the police, senior officials refused to comment. However, the LG's office said that letters had been written time and again to religious institutions like Jama Masjid, Akshardham temple and others asking them to make security arrangements like CCTV cameras.
Some of the heritage sites where these curbs will now apply are Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid, Purana Qila, Humanyun's Tomb, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Red Fort, Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi Gate, Kashmere Gate, Turkman Gate, Fatehpuri Masjid and Tughlaqabad Fort.
Among vital installations and iconic buildings are Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Kalakji Temple, Jhandewalan Temple, Indian Oil building, Birla Temple, Reserve Bank of India, PTI building, Police headquarters, Shastri Bhavan, Delhi University, Pallika Sadan Kendra, Palika Bazar, NDMC building, Connaught Place and Safdarjung Airport.
These restrictions are going to cause a lot of inconvenience for people in the city and could also lead to police high-handedness. Two-wheeler drivers have always been the favourite whipping boys of the cops only at the check-posts.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/No-parking-near-470-sites/articleshow/6589068.cms#ixzz1045Gphwq
Hours after the attack on two foreign tourists outside the historic Jama Masjid, Delhi Police came out with a list of 470 sites where security has been upgraded and restrictions imposed.
All such sites will have no parking within 100 metres. Also bikers with pillion riders will not be allowed anywhere near them. The decisions were taken as part of special security measures being implemented on the directions of the lieutenant-governor of Delhi.
Reacting to the incident at Jama Masjid which has led to a scare in the city, the lieutenant-governor, Tejendra Khanna, held an emergency meeting with the police commissioner, YS Dadwal, and senior officials of the agencies concerned to take stock of the situation on Sunday.
The meeting discussed the law and order situation and saw the LG issue directions to the CP to introduce special security measures with immediate effect. A senior official pointed out that there are 470 sites which have been identified as sensitive or high-risk in the city.
Thus the first step towards taking special measures to enhance security would be to put these points under strict vigil.
Delhi Police said they have also asked the officials at these places to install CCTVs since they are high on the list of possible targets for a terror attack.
"The security on premises have to be beefed up and we have asked them to deploy armed guards wherever required. We have also intensified patrolling and deployment at vital installations," added a police officer.
On the allegations made by the Shahi Imam and others at Jama Masjid that the requisite security measures were not in place despite reminders to the police, senior officials refused to comment. However, the LG's office said that letters had been written time and again to religious institutions like Jama Masjid, Akshardham temple and others asking them to make security arrangements like CCTV cameras.
Some of the heritage sites where these curbs will now apply are Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid, Purana Qila, Humanyun's Tomb, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Red Fort, Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi Gate, Kashmere Gate, Turkman Gate, Fatehpuri Masjid and Tughlaqabad Fort.
Among vital installations and iconic buildings are Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Kalakji Temple, Jhandewalan Temple, Indian Oil building, Birla Temple, Reserve Bank of India, PTI building, Police headquarters, Shastri Bhavan, Delhi University, Pallika Sadan Kendra, Palika Bazar, NDMC building, Connaught Place and Safdarjung Airport.
These restrictions are going to cause a lot of inconvenience for people in the city and could also lead to police high-handedness. Two-wheeler drivers have always been the favourite whipping boys of the cops only at the check-posts.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/No-parking-near-470-sites/articleshow/6589068.cms#ixzz1045Gphwq
Don’t want to get stuck on road? Memorise lane map
Monday, Sep 20, 2010
If the Delhi Traffic Police is to be believed, those who take any of the roads on the dedicated Games lane route will have to remember them. The dedicated Games lane route, which will come into effect from Thursday, are, at some places, either unmarked or damaged. If commuters want to avoid the 105-km-long dedicated route, the traffic police suggest studying the Games lanes' map thoroughly, so that they don't unintentionally drive into the unmarked stretches.
Ajay Chadha, Special CP (Traffic) said: "It's true that in some places the lane marking is yet to be done, while some other stretches are damaged. If the civic agencies don't complete their work despite repeated requests, we cannot do anything about this. We have published the map of the dedicated lanes and people may gather clarity about the same. Besides, we will deploy 3,500 traffic personnel on the dedicated lanes to help the lane drivers."
Four days ahead of the arrival of athletes to the Capital for the Commonwealth Games, several roads are yet to be repaired and many other are prone to waterlogging.
Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC), however, said the lanes are almost ready to ferry the guests without any trouble. "All roads that come under dedicated Games lane are mostly ready. Athletes will not have to face any problem while taking a ride on them," said Lalit Bhanot, OC's secretary general.
Even officials confirm that road signage and lane marking are yet to be completed in several stretches including Ring Road bypass, Ma Anandmayi Marg, Aurobindo Marg, Road Number 58, and Bhairon Road among others.
The traffic department had, on September 9, issued letters to all agencies concerned, including the Public Works Department, New Delhi Municipal Corporation, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, asking them to repair the roads at war footing.
But with just four days left, many roads are still as they were before, said a senior traffic police officer.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Don-t-want-to-get-stuck-on-road-Memorise-lane-map/Article1-602289.aspx
If the Delhi Traffic Police is to be believed, those who take any of the roads on the dedicated Games lane route will have to remember them. The dedicated Games lane route, which will come into effect from Thursday, are, at some places, either unmarked or damaged. If commuters want to avoid the 105-km-long dedicated route, the traffic police suggest studying the Games lanes' map thoroughly, so that they don't unintentionally drive into the unmarked stretches.
Ajay Chadha, Special CP (Traffic) said: "It's true that in some places the lane marking is yet to be done, while some other stretches are damaged. If the civic agencies don't complete their work despite repeated requests, we cannot do anything about this. We have published the map of the dedicated lanes and people may gather clarity about the same. Besides, we will deploy 3,500 traffic personnel on the dedicated lanes to help the lane drivers."
Four days ahead of the arrival of athletes to the Capital for the Commonwealth Games, several roads are yet to be repaired and many other are prone to waterlogging.
Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC), however, said the lanes are almost ready to ferry the guests without any trouble. "All roads that come under dedicated Games lane are mostly ready. Athletes will not have to face any problem while taking a ride on them," said Lalit Bhanot, OC's secretary general.
Even officials confirm that road signage and lane marking are yet to be completed in several stretches including Ring Road bypass, Ma Anandmayi Marg, Aurobindo Marg, Road Number 58, and Bhairon Road among others.
The traffic department had, on September 9, issued letters to all agencies concerned, including the Public Works Department, New Delhi Municipal Corporation, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, asking them to repair the roads at war footing.
But with just four days left, many roads are still as they were before, said a senior traffic police officer.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Don-t-want-to-get-stuck-on-road-Memorise-lane-map/Article1-602289.aspx
No parking of vehicles outside CWG venues and iconic buildings
Sunday, Sep 19, 2010
Parking vehicles outside Commonwealth Games venues and iconic buildings have been banned in the wake of firing outside Jama Masjid here this morning.
An order was issued in this regard by Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna this evening.
"Parking of vehicles outside Games venues and iconic and important buildings have been banned," a senior police official said.
Police will also check vehicles passing through these areas.
Original news source http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/No-parking-of-vehicles-outside-CWG-venues-and-iconic-buildings/articleshow/6587320.cms
Parking vehicles outside Commonwealth Games venues and iconic buildings have been banned in the wake of firing outside Jama Masjid here this morning.
An order was issued in this regard by Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna this evening.
"Parking of vehicles outside Games venues and iconic and important buildings have been banned," a senior police official said.
Police will also check vehicles passing through these areas.
Original news source http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/No-parking-of-vehicles-outside-CWG-venues-and-iconic-buildings/articleshow/6587320.cms
Cops want shorter run time for athletes’ buses
Saturday, Sep 18, 2010
Frequent movement of buses carrying athletes on the Games lane — as proposed by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee — will cause lot of inconvenience for general commuters. So, the Delhi Traffic Police want the plan to be reworked by reducing the frequency of movement of these buses.
The plan, as shared with the Delhi Traffic Police, was to run the buses to respective Games venues at 15-minute interval on event day.
However, Delhi Traffic Police are of the view that "this is a very unrealistic plan and will cause a lot of inconvenience to people".
Ajay Chadha, Special CP (Traffic), said: "What is the point of running a bus for athletes in every 15 minutes? Athletes are supposed to reach the venue before the event starts and leave it after the event is over. But the plan suggests that even during the Game there will be frequent movement of the buses."
The Traffic police had asked the OC for a detailed plan on the movement of the athletes to different venues.
"The plan does not have any detail about the athletes' movement schedule," said a senior officer of the Traffic department.
The officer said: "We do not want a total ban on traffic movement on the dedicated lanes even on the days of events. If athletes' buses ply on the lanes in every 15 minutes, we will be left with no alternative but completely restricting movement of common people on those lanes. This will create problem for the common people."
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cops-want-shorter-run-time-for-athletes-buses/Article1-601531.aspx
Frequent movement of buses carrying athletes on the Games lane — as proposed by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee — will cause lot of inconvenience for general commuters. So, the Delhi Traffic Police want the plan to be reworked by reducing the frequency of movement of these buses.
The plan, as shared with the Delhi Traffic Police, was to run the buses to respective Games venues at 15-minute interval on event day.
However, Delhi Traffic Police are of the view that "this is a very unrealistic plan and will cause a lot of inconvenience to people".
Ajay Chadha, Special CP (Traffic), said: "What is the point of running a bus for athletes in every 15 minutes? Athletes are supposed to reach the venue before the event starts and leave it after the event is over. But the plan suggests that even during the Game there will be frequent movement of the buses."
The Traffic police had asked the OC for a detailed plan on the movement of the athletes to different venues.
"The plan does not have any detail about the athletes' movement schedule," said a senior officer of the Traffic department.
The officer said: "We do not want a total ban on traffic movement on the dedicated lanes even on the days of events. If athletes' buses ply on the lanes in every 15 minutes, we will be left with no alternative but completely restricting movement of common people on those lanes. This will create problem for the common people."
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cops-want-shorter-run-time-for-athletes-buses/Article1-601531.aspx
Games close parking at Akshardham Metro
Saturday, Sep 18, 2010
Delhi Metro commuters will not be able to keep their vehicles at the parking facility in Akshardham station from Monday till the end of the Commonwealth Games next month. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation decided to close the parking lot at the Metro station, which witnesses very high footfall on weekdays, after an advisory issued to it by the Delhi Police.
The parking lot will be closed from Monday till the end of the Games in mid-October.
"This step has been taken by the Delhi Police due to security concerns since the Commonwealth Games Village is very close to the Akshardham Metro station," DMRC spokesman Anuj Dayal said.
However, he said, parking facility will be available at Metro stations adjoining the Akshardham Metro station like Yamuna Bank and Mayur Vihar-I stations.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Games-close-parking-at-Akshardham-Metro/Article1-601916.aspx
Delhi Metro commuters will not be able to keep their vehicles at the parking facility in Akshardham station from Monday till the end of the Commonwealth Games next month. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation decided to close the parking lot at the Metro station, which witnesses very high footfall on weekdays, after an advisory issued to it by the Delhi Police.
The parking lot will be closed from Monday till the end of the Games in mid-October.
"This step has been taken by the Delhi Police due to security concerns since the Commonwealth Games Village is very close to the Akshardham Metro station," DMRC spokesman Anuj Dayal said.
However, he said, parking facility will be available at Metro stations adjoining the Akshardham Metro station like Yamuna Bank and Mayur Vihar-I stations.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Games-close-parking-at-Akshardham-Metro/Article1-601916.aspx
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
2,396 cops fined for violating traffic rules
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2010
A 58-year-old Delhi Police Head Constable picked the wrong day to take his son's heavily tinted Swift car - parallel strips of red and blue adorning both its number plates - out for a spin around south Delhi on Wednesday afternoon. As the junior officer cruised along from the INA market to the Aurobindo Marg at 2 pm, a white ambassador with blue beacon pulled him over at a little distance beyond the traffic intersection at AIIMS.
The anxious head constable's worst fear was confirmed a moment later. He was being challaned for the illegal tint on the vehicle's windshields by a Joint Commissioner of the Delhi Police.
"When I asked him why he'd put those red-blue strips on his number plates, he said it was because he was posted at a police station in the southwest district. The car belonged to his son who has nothing to do with the force," said the senior Delhi Police officer who wished to remain anonymous.
As per the records, 2,396 Delhi Police officers have been challaned for committing traffic violations till August 31. The Delhi Traffic Police's recent foray onto social networking site Facebook has intensified the challaning capabilities of its own officers. "We have prosecuted over 79 officers for traffic violations based on pictures and videos uploaded by citizens since then," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/2-396-cops-fined-for-violating-traffic-rules/Article1-600594.aspx
A 58-year-old Delhi Police Head Constable picked the wrong day to take his son's heavily tinted Swift car - parallel strips of red and blue adorning both its number plates - out for a spin around south Delhi on Wednesday afternoon. As the junior officer cruised along from the INA market to the Aurobindo Marg at 2 pm, a white ambassador with blue beacon pulled him over at a little distance beyond the traffic intersection at AIIMS.
The anxious head constable's worst fear was confirmed a moment later. He was being challaned for the illegal tint on the vehicle's windshields by a Joint Commissioner of the Delhi Police.
"When I asked him why he'd put those red-blue strips on his number plates, he said it was because he was posted at a police station in the southwest district. The car belonged to his son who has nothing to do with the force," said the senior Delhi Police officer who wished to remain anonymous.
As per the records, 2,396 Delhi Police officers have been challaned for committing traffic violations till August 31. The Delhi Traffic Police's recent foray onto social networking site Facebook has intensified the challaning capabilities of its own officers. "We have prosecuted over 79 officers for traffic violations based on pictures and videos uploaded by citizens since then," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/2-396-cops-fined-for-violating-traffic-rules/Article1-600594.aspx
No speed limit for Games buses
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2010
Starting September 15, 600 DTC buses pressed into service for the Games will run without any speed governors. The Supreme Court carved out an exception for this fleet after the government expressed security concerns.
Fearing a Lahore-like attack, Delhi Police and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) had earlier petitioned the Supreme Court for the removal of speed governors — fixed at 40kmph. The speed relaxation has been granted till October 20.
The buses meant for the Games were sanitized by Delhi Police. Anti-sabotage checks and other security features are being upgraded by the security wing of Delhi Police to prevent any hostage situation. The special bench of SC while granting relaxation asked DTC to furnish a complete list of registration numbers of those vehicles that will be used to ferry Games athletes, staff and officials to the amicus curiae for the case. dtc will also be required to provide details of the dedicated routes.
Lastly, the apex court clarified, only an emergency or any other exigency will justify a DTC bus deviating from the Games lane to public transport lane. After October 20, the speed limit of 40kmph will once again be applicable to the DTC fleet. On its part, the corporation informed the court that the 600 buses to be used for high-speed corridors will be stationed at Millennium Depot in the capital. After Delhi Police expressed its concerns, DTC moved the Supreme Court in July this year seeking relaxation of the speed barrier in September and October.
In its application, DTC requested permission to "operate its 600 buses in Delhi and NCR areas during the Games without speed-control devices". The application cited the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore to drive home the point that "in the event of a terrorist strike, speedy evacuation/exit" will be hampered by the speed governors currently installed in all DTC buses as per a 1997 SC directive.
The security wing of Delhi Police will also be responsible for carrying athletes and officials in these buses.
Special commissioner of police (security) Ranjit Narayan told TOI, "We have drawn an elaborate plan for the security of players and officials. Security drills are being conducted and everything is on schedule." Policemen will accompany players and buses will be escorted by different police vehicles.
"All plans and schedules of players have been finalized. We will sanitize the route which will be taken by them in the city during any visit, including visit to stadia," said a senior officer. Meanwhile, DTC officials said buses that are not being used for the Games will be governed by the same standards and the speed limit of 40kmph. Buses meant for athletes will be used on the dedicated lanes where no other traffic is allowed. The traffic police will impose a fine of Rs 2,000 if anyone is found trying to enter the Games lane starting September 20.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/No-speed-limit-for-Games-buses/articleshow/6555922.cms#ixzz0za2OpxC0
Starting September 15, 600 DTC buses pressed into service for the Games will run without any speed governors. The Supreme Court carved out an exception for this fleet after the government expressed security concerns.
Fearing a Lahore-like attack, Delhi Police and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) had earlier petitioned the Supreme Court for the removal of speed governors — fixed at 40kmph. The speed relaxation has been granted till October 20.
The buses meant for the Games were sanitized by Delhi Police. Anti-sabotage checks and other security features are being upgraded by the security wing of Delhi Police to prevent any hostage situation. The special bench of SC while granting relaxation asked DTC to furnish a complete list of registration numbers of those vehicles that will be used to ferry Games athletes, staff and officials to the amicus curiae for the case. dtc will also be required to provide details of the dedicated routes.
Lastly, the apex court clarified, only an emergency or any other exigency will justify a DTC bus deviating from the Games lane to public transport lane. After October 20, the speed limit of 40kmph will once again be applicable to the DTC fleet. On its part, the corporation informed the court that the 600 buses to be used for high-speed corridors will be stationed at Millennium Depot in the capital. After Delhi Police expressed its concerns, DTC moved the Supreme Court in July this year seeking relaxation of the speed barrier in September and October.
In its application, DTC requested permission to "operate its 600 buses in Delhi and NCR areas during the Games without speed-control devices". The application cited the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore to drive home the point that "in the event of a terrorist strike, speedy evacuation/exit" will be hampered by the speed governors currently installed in all DTC buses as per a 1997 SC directive.
The security wing of Delhi Police will also be responsible for carrying athletes and officials in these buses.
Special commissioner of police (security) Ranjit Narayan told TOI, "We have drawn an elaborate plan for the security of players and officials. Security drills are being conducted and everything is on schedule." Policemen will accompany players and buses will be escorted by different police vehicles.
"All plans and schedules of players have been finalized. We will sanitize the route which will be taken by them in the city during any visit, including visit to stadia," said a senior officer. Meanwhile, DTC officials said buses that are not being used for the Games will be governed by the same standards and the speed limit of 40kmph. Buses meant for athletes will be used on the dedicated lanes where no other traffic is allowed. The traffic police will impose a fine of Rs 2,000 if anyone is found trying to enter the Games lane starting September 20.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/No-speed-limit-for-Games-buses/articleshow/6555922.cms#ixzz0za2OpxC0
Helipad next to Village ready
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2010
Athletes, officials and security personnel can now escape Delhi's traffic and fly straight into the Games Village. The helipad next to the Akshardham temple is finally ready and is set for take-off even as the city's first heliport is nearing completion at Rohini.
State-owned Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited's (PHHL) chairman and managing director R K Tyagi told TOI that the helipad had been readied well in time for the Games and now they were only waiting for agencies to start using the facility.
"The helipad is meant to be used by athletes, officials and VIPs at present but after the Games it could well be used for tourism, etc. Security forces could also use it if the need arises. The main facility, however, will be at Rohini. We are developing the heliport there so choppers, etc, will be parked there. While it will not have the frills and fancies that are planned for it right now, it will be operationally ready to handle the Games traffic. The rest of it would be developed once the Games are over," said a PHHL official.
The facilities will be coming up at a total cost of about Rs 70 crore, including land acquisition and construction. Due to the high security nature of the chopper services during the Games, separate operational corridors have been earmarked for helicopters so that they do not come in conflict with commercial flights. "Services will be available from Safdarjung, Palam and the heliport at Rohini. While Safdarjung will be only for VIP and VVIP use, anybody else wishing to use the facility will have to go to either Palam or Rohini. These places were also selected so that we could avoid congestion. Separate corridors have also been identified that will be used by the helicopters, both for security and to avoid conflict with commercial air traffic," added the official.
Sources said PHHL had two choppers dedicated for Games services but more could be put in use if there was a demand. "One helicopter has been booked by an agency for coverage of events like bicycling but there are two others that can also be taken up. If need be, we will also press more choppers into service," said the official. However, according to sources, PHHL had not been approached so far for its helicopter services.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Helipad-next-to-Village-ready/articleshow/6555903.cms#ixzz0zZzH8Sn1
Athletes, officials and security personnel can now escape Delhi's traffic and fly straight into the Games Village. The helipad next to the Akshardham temple is finally ready and is set for take-off even as the city's first heliport is nearing completion at Rohini.
State-owned Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited's (PHHL) chairman and managing director R K Tyagi told TOI that the helipad had been readied well in time for the Games and now they were only waiting for agencies to start using the facility.
"The helipad is meant to be used by athletes, officials and VIPs at present but after the Games it could well be used for tourism, etc. Security forces could also use it if the need arises. The main facility, however, will be at Rohini. We are developing the heliport there so choppers, etc, will be parked there. While it will not have the frills and fancies that are planned for it right now, it will be operationally ready to handle the Games traffic. The rest of it would be developed once the Games are over," said a PHHL official.
The facilities will be coming up at a total cost of about Rs 70 crore, including land acquisition and construction. Due to the high security nature of the chopper services during the Games, separate operational corridors have been earmarked for helicopters so that they do not come in conflict with commercial flights. "Services will be available from Safdarjung, Palam and the heliport at Rohini. While Safdarjung will be only for VIP and VVIP use, anybody else wishing to use the facility will have to go to either Palam or Rohini. These places were also selected so that we could avoid congestion. Separate corridors have also been identified that will be used by the helicopters, both for security and to avoid conflict with commercial air traffic," added the official.
Sources said PHHL had two choppers dedicated for Games services but more could be put in use if there was a demand. "One helicopter has been booked by an agency for coverage of events like bicycling but there are two others that can also be taken up. If need be, we will also press more choppers into service," said the official. However, according to sources, PHHL had not been approached so far for its helicopter services.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Helipad-next-to-Village-ready/articleshow/6555903.cms#ixzz0zZzH8Sn1
Metro to add trains to cut waiting time during Games
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010
Expecting two million passengers every day during Commonwealth Games, Metro will add three broad gauge and 27 standard-gauge trains to its existing fleet of 148 trains, bringing down the average waiting time from the current 8-10 minutes to 2-3 minutes. The move also serves as further incentive for related stories
car users to switch to the air-conditioned mode of transport immune to traffic snarls.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief E. Sreedharan on Tuesday said train frequency would be increased on important corridors and the service will be free of glitches.
"A group of engineers from Korea and Germany have found that problems (technical snags) are mainly due to faults in overhead electrification, signals and trains. They are working relentlessly to sort out the problems," he said.
Special technical teams will also be deputed at stations to repair faults and ensure train schedule is not affected in the event of a snag, DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal said.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Metro-to-add-trains-to-cut-waiting-time-during-Games/H1-Article1-600130.aspx
Expecting two million passengers every day during Commonwealth Games, Metro will add three broad gauge and 27 standard-gauge trains to its existing fleet of 148 trains, bringing down the average waiting time from the current 8-10 minutes to 2-3 minutes. The move also serves as further incentive for related stories
car users to switch to the air-conditioned mode of transport immune to traffic snarls.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief E. Sreedharan on Tuesday said train frequency would be increased on important corridors and the service will be free of glitches.
"A group of engineers from Korea and Germany have found that problems (technical snags) are mainly due to faults in overhead electrification, signals and trains. They are working relentlessly to sort out the problems," he said.
Special technical teams will also be deputed at stations to repair faults and ensure train schedule is not affected in the event of a snag, DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal said.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Metro-to-add-trains-to-cut-waiting-time-during-Games/H1-Article1-600130.aspx
Monday, September 13, 2010
Traffic signal revamp deadline shot again
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010
The Delhi Traffic Police's tall claims of ensuring smooth traffic during the Commonwealth Games seem to be falling flat. Sample this: Out of 153 new traffic lights to be installed at various junctions, mostly in central Delhi and close to Games venues by August-end, only 34 lights are functional.
The department had earlier identified old and faulty signal systems to be replaced immediately. It was announced that Delhiites will get a R200-crore intelligent traffic system before the Commonwealth Games.
The system was to be installed at 275 places across the city to help tackle traffic congestion. However, with just 19 days more to go for the international sporting event, as many as 119 lights are either yet to be installed or not functioning.
Also, around 85 existing traffic lights in the city are in a non-functional state.
The Delhi Traffic Police, which has completed only 20 per cent of the work in the past six months, is not ready to admit its failure. It said the department would try to finish the work by month-end, only if rains don't create any more problems.
"According to Met department, rains will be over in a couple of days. After that remaining work will be completed," said Ajay Chadha, Special CP (Traffic), who admitted that the department failed to meet its August-end deadline.
The department has missed the deadline twice. The first work order was issued in April, where 76 signals, including 36 on the Games lanes, were scheduled to be in place by July. A second work order was issued with an expansion of the work volume. This time, the deadline was extended till August.
"But our department failed to complete even half the work that was assigned in the first work order," a senior officer said.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Traffic-signal-revamp-deadline-shot-again/Article1-599785.aspx
The Delhi Traffic Police's tall claims of ensuring smooth traffic during the Commonwealth Games seem to be falling flat. Sample this: Out of 153 new traffic lights to be installed at various junctions, mostly in central Delhi and close to Games venues by August-end, only 34 lights are functional.
The department had earlier identified old and faulty signal systems to be replaced immediately. It was announced that Delhiites will get a R200-crore intelligent traffic system before the Commonwealth Games.
The system was to be installed at 275 places across the city to help tackle traffic congestion. However, with just 19 days more to go for the international sporting event, as many as 119 lights are either yet to be installed or not functioning.
Also, around 85 existing traffic lights in the city are in a non-functional state.
The Delhi Traffic Police, which has completed only 20 per cent of the work in the past six months, is not ready to admit its failure. It said the department would try to finish the work by month-end, only if rains don't create any more problems.
"According to Met department, rains will be over in a couple of days. After that remaining work will be completed," said Ajay Chadha, Special CP (Traffic), who admitted that the department failed to meet its August-end deadline.
The department has missed the deadline twice. The first work order was issued in April, where 76 signals, including 36 on the Games lanes, were scheduled to be in place by July. A second work order was issued with an expansion of the work volume. This time, the deadline was extended till August.
"But our department failed to complete even half the work that was assigned in the first work order," a senior officer said.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Traffic-signal-revamp-deadline-shot-again/Article1-599785.aspx
Peak hour Games lane trial run today, tomorrow
Monday, Sep 13, 2010
The Delhi Traffic Police has asked commuters to brace up for traffic woes over the next two days as they plan to conduct trials on Games lanes during the morning and evening rush hours. While trials on four stretches will be held between 4 pm and 6 pm on Monday, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg said it will be held in the morning between 8 am and 10 am on Tuesday. The routes are: Ring Road from Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mall Road, NH-24 Ring Road crossing to Ghazipur crossing on NH-24, Ma Anand Mai Marg at Kalkaji to Dr Karni Singh Stadium on Surajkund Road, via MB Road and Panchsheel Marg-Sardar Patel Road intersection to Mother Teressa Crescent upto RML Hospital. Traffic personnel have also warned of traffic jams on arterial roads, which fall on the stretch.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Peak-hour-Games-lane-trial-run-today--tomorrow/680853
The Delhi Traffic Police has asked commuters to brace up for traffic woes over the next two days as they plan to conduct trials on Games lanes during the morning and evening rush hours. While trials on four stretches will be held between 4 pm and 6 pm on Monday, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg said it will be held in the morning between 8 am and 10 am on Tuesday. The routes are: Ring Road from Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mall Road, NH-24 Ring Road crossing to Ghazipur crossing on NH-24, Ma Anand Mai Marg at Kalkaji to Dr Karni Singh Stadium on Surajkund Road, via MB Road and Panchsheel Marg-Sardar Patel Road intersection to Mother Teressa Crescent upto RML Hospital. Traffic personnel have also warned of traffic jams on arterial roads, which fall on the stretch.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Peak-hour-Games-lane-trial-run-today--tomorrow/680853
Athletes' movement schedule received, say police
Monday, Sep 13, 2010
Delhi traffic police Monday received a tentative schedule for the movement of Commonwealth Games athletes from their rooms to 26 practice venues. The Games organising committee (OC) has handed over the schedule hardly a week before the athletes are expected to arrive from 53 countries in the capital.
'We have received a tentative schedule and traffic arrangements will be done according to it,' said Special Commissioner (Traffic) Ajay Chadha. The athletes are expected to arrive between Sep 20 and 23. Around 7,000 players and delegates are expected to arrive from 53 countries for the Oct 3-14 Games.
According to police, the traffic plan to ferry athletes from the Indira Gandhi International Airport to their hotel rooms has already been discussed.
'There would be restrictions on the Games lanes even during night hours from Sep 20-23. It is mainly due to the majority of international flights arriving here at night,' said Chadha.
Officials from various participating countries will start reaching the capital this week. The schedule pertaining to the arrival of the athletes and the Games officials were handed to the police much earlier.
The main cause of worry for the traffic police was about the schedule of the athletes and number of vehicles involved in their transportation to different venues for training purposes. But with the schedule now, the traffic police are engaged in preparing a detailed plan for their movement.
'The schedule was needed to see where and when the athletes would be going for the training sessions and and how many buses would be required to ferry them,' added Chadha.
There are 26 practice venues for different games which include Yamuna Sports Complex, Major Dhyan Chand National stadium, Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, Delhi University, Thyagaraj Sports Complex, Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range CRPF Campus, Kadarpur, Siri Fort Sports Complex and R.K. Khanna Sports Complex.
Police have already started trials on the Games lanes to gauge the impact on the general traffic during the event. A slew of guidelines have been issued for motorists asking them to avoid the Games lanes failing which they would be fined Rs.2,000.
Police have also asked motorists to make way for emergency vehicles like ambulances, police vans and fire brigades so these can reach venues in an emergency situation during the Commonwealth Games. If motorists fail to abide, they can be fined Rs.100.
The dedicated lanes will be used to ferry more than 15,000 people during the Games, besides thousands of OC staff and volunteers. The OC has divided these transport services into groups. The first group, T1, consists of a dedicated service of around 485 cars with drivers, which will transport delegates from their accommodation to venues and back.
T2 will be a motor pool of 1,000 cars available through a call car service while T3 will consist of 349 dedicated AC buses for the athletes. The shuttle service will be provided for individual sports as well as exclusive team buses for team sports.
Twenty-five routes have been identified for transporting the athletes. A separate bus service will be provided for the media and technical officials. The transport services will be available from Sep 23.
Original news source http://sify.com/news/athletes-movement-schedule-received-say-police-news-national-kjnvuxedafh.html
Delhi traffic police Monday received a tentative schedule for the movement of Commonwealth Games athletes from their rooms to 26 practice venues. The Games organising committee (OC) has handed over the schedule hardly a week before the athletes are expected to arrive from 53 countries in the capital.
'We have received a tentative schedule and traffic arrangements will be done according to it,' said Special Commissioner (Traffic) Ajay Chadha. The athletes are expected to arrive between Sep 20 and 23. Around 7,000 players and delegates are expected to arrive from 53 countries for the Oct 3-14 Games.
According to police, the traffic plan to ferry athletes from the Indira Gandhi International Airport to their hotel rooms has already been discussed.
'There would be restrictions on the Games lanes even during night hours from Sep 20-23. It is mainly due to the majority of international flights arriving here at night,' said Chadha.
Officials from various participating countries will start reaching the capital this week. The schedule pertaining to the arrival of the athletes and the Games officials were handed to the police much earlier.
The main cause of worry for the traffic police was about the schedule of the athletes and number of vehicles involved in their transportation to different venues for training purposes. But with the schedule now, the traffic police are engaged in preparing a detailed plan for their movement.
'The schedule was needed to see where and when the athletes would be going for the training sessions and and how many buses would be required to ferry them,' added Chadha.
There are 26 practice venues for different games which include Yamuna Sports Complex, Major Dhyan Chand National stadium, Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, Delhi University, Thyagaraj Sports Complex, Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range CRPF Campus, Kadarpur, Siri Fort Sports Complex and R.K. Khanna Sports Complex.
Police have already started trials on the Games lanes to gauge the impact on the general traffic during the event. A slew of guidelines have been issued for motorists asking them to avoid the Games lanes failing which they would be fined Rs.2,000.
Police have also asked motorists to make way for emergency vehicles like ambulances, police vans and fire brigades so these can reach venues in an emergency situation during the Commonwealth Games. If motorists fail to abide, they can be fined Rs.100.
The dedicated lanes will be used to ferry more than 15,000 people during the Games, besides thousands of OC staff and volunteers. The OC has divided these transport services into groups. The first group, T1, consists of a dedicated service of around 485 cars with drivers, which will transport delegates from their accommodation to venues and back.
T2 will be a motor pool of 1,000 cars available through a call car service while T3 will consist of 349 dedicated AC buses for the athletes. The shuttle service will be provided for individual sports as well as exclusive team buses for team sports.
Twenty-five routes have been identified for transporting the athletes. A separate bus service will be provided for the media and technical officials. The transport services will be available from Sep 23.
Original news source http://sify.com/news/athletes-movement-schedule-received-say-police-news-national-kjnvuxedafh.html
More parking pains
Sunday, Sep 12, 2010
Forget the Commonwealth Games lane jams. What's going to get Delhi's goat is this: There's going to be a severe shortage of parking space during the Games. From the 200-odd legal parking lots that the MCD was running till the start of this year, the number has been cut down to just 111.
This spells trouble for the people as earlier the surface parking lots could accommodate 20,000 vehicles. Now they can hold only 11,100 vehicles.
Though the civic agency has identified 245 other surface parking lots, the Delhi traffic police have not yet approved these saying they will only add to the Games traffic jams. "We are running 111 parking lots. We had sent a list of new parking sites to the traffic police six months back for approval but they haven't approved them yet. The parking situation is already quite bad and with the traffic police refusing to approve these, it will create a huge problem," said a senior MCD official.
According to the civic agency, had the traffic police cleared 245 parking lots it would have created an additional parking space for 24,500 vehicles.
"We had carried out survey of all the parking lots before sending the list. Contrary to the traffic police's claims, these lots will not lead to any traffic jams. If these parking lots are not cleared soon the parking mafia will use this opportunity to run illegal parkings in the city," added the official.
Parking space in the city has been constantly shrinking over the past one year while the number of vehicles in the city has been rising. On an average, approximately 1,000 vehicles are added to Delhi 's roads daily.
The civic agency was also supposed to come up with 16 multi-level parking lots before the Game but they are yet to come up.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/More-parking-pains/Article1-599342.aspx
Forget the Commonwealth Games lane jams. What's going to get Delhi's goat is this: There's going to be a severe shortage of parking space during the Games. From the 200-odd legal parking lots that the MCD was running till the start of this year, the number has been cut down to just 111.
This spells trouble for the people as earlier the surface parking lots could accommodate 20,000 vehicles. Now they can hold only 11,100 vehicles.
Though the civic agency has identified 245 other surface parking lots, the Delhi traffic police have not yet approved these saying they will only add to the Games traffic jams. "We are running 111 parking lots. We had sent a list of new parking sites to the traffic police six months back for approval but they haven't approved them yet. The parking situation is already quite bad and with the traffic police refusing to approve these, it will create a huge problem," said a senior MCD official.
According to the civic agency, had the traffic police cleared 245 parking lots it would have created an additional parking space for 24,500 vehicles.
"We had carried out survey of all the parking lots before sending the list. Contrary to the traffic police's claims, these lots will not lead to any traffic jams. If these parking lots are not cleared soon the parking mafia will use this opportunity to run illegal parkings in the city," added the official.
Parking space in the city has been constantly shrinking over the past one year while the number of vehicles in the city has been rising. On an average, approximately 1,000 vehicles are added to Delhi 's roads daily.
The civic agency was also supposed to come up with 16 multi-level parking lots before the Game but they are yet to come up.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/More-parking-pains/Article1-599342.aspx
Sunday, September 12, 2010
243 motorists fined for obstructing emergency vehicles
Friday, Sep 10, 2010
A total of 243 motorists have been fined till Thursday for obstructing the way of emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire tenders and police control room vans, a traffic police official said Friday.
Last week, Delhi Traffic Police announced that motorists who deny passage to emergency vehicles will be fined. Under section 7 of the Motor Vehicles Act, motorists can be fined Rs.100 for not allowing passage to emergency vehicles.
Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chadha said that the motorists who fail to abide by the guidelines will be dealt with strictly.
As per the rules when a vehicle spots an emergency vehicle like police van, fire tender or ambulance with siren, it should move to the extreme left of the road and stop till the emergency vehicle passes by, he said.
The traffic police are strictly implementing this rule to ensure that ambulances and other emergency vehicles do not get stuck in jam during the Commonwealth Games.
Original news source http://sify.com/news/243-motorists-fined-for-obstructing-emergency-vehicles-news-national-kjkq4dgiici.html
A total of 243 motorists have been fined till Thursday for obstructing the way of emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire tenders and police control room vans, a traffic police official said Friday.
Last week, Delhi Traffic Police announced that motorists who deny passage to emergency vehicles will be fined. Under section 7 of the Motor Vehicles Act, motorists can be fined Rs.100 for not allowing passage to emergency vehicles.
Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chadha said that the motorists who fail to abide by the guidelines will be dealt with strictly.
As per the rules when a vehicle spots an emergency vehicle like police van, fire tender or ambulance with siren, it should move to the extreme left of the road and stop till the emergency vehicle passes by, he said.
The traffic police are strictly implementing this rule to ensure that ambulances and other emergency vehicles do not get stuck in jam during the Commonwealth Games.
Original news source http://sify.com/news/243-motorists-fined-for-obstructing-emergency-vehicles-news-national-kjkq4dgiici.html
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Ambulance behind? Give way or pay up
Friday, Sep 10, 2010
Callous motorists who deny passage to emergency vehicles - ambulances, fire tenders and police control room vans - will now pay a price. Delhi police has launched a special drive since Wednesday to challan vehicles that block these services, the first time that this rule of the Motor Vehicles Act has been put into effect. Until Thursday evening, 243 vehicles had been challaned, 226 of these being pulled up on Wednesday.
The fine for not allowing passage to emergency vehicles is Rs 100, under sec 7 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Joint commissioner (traffic) Satyendra Garg said the enforcement had begun to ensure lane-driving and to prevent ambulances from getting stuck in jams during the Commonwealth Games.
"There has been no prosecution on this offence till now," admitted special commissioner (traffic) Ajay Chadha, adding that enforcement would now be strict. "Once you spot an emergency vehicle like police van, fire tender or ambulance with siren, you have to move to the extreme left of the road and stop your vehicle. You cannot even move your vehicle till the emergency vehicles cross you," Chadha said.
He said the traffic police had educated commuters on this rule in the first week of September. "We have gone for some dummy runs. We have first educated them and then proceeded with the prosecution," said Garg.
While 17 prosections (five for ambulance and 12 for PCR obstruction) was made in New Delhi and south districts on Wednesday, the rest of the prosecution took place on Thursday all through the city.
In another significant decision, the Delhi traffic police said it would enforce stricter restrictions on two-lane roads in which a lane was earmarked for CWG vehicles. "We will not allow any overtaking of buses on the non-CWG lanes by cars and other vehicles if the bus is in motion. Overtaking will be allowed only at specified points near bus stops when the bus is static, under specific directions of the traffic cops. This will help us counter jams due to stagnant buses" said Garg. Personnel from NCC, Nagaland police and the Nirankari Mandal will also help direct traffic during the Games, traffic police said.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Ambulance-behind-Give-way-or-pay-up/articleshow/6527464.cms#ixzz0z6Z0k6Tu
Callous motorists who deny passage to emergency vehicles - ambulances, fire tenders and police control room vans - will now pay a price. Delhi police has launched a special drive since Wednesday to challan vehicles that block these services, the first time that this rule of the Motor Vehicles Act has been put into effect. Until Thursday evening, 243 vehicles had been challaned, 226 of these being pulled up on Wednesday.
The fine for not allowing passage to emergency vehicles is Rs 100, under sec 7 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Joint commissioner (traffic) Satyendra Garg said the enforcement had begun to ensure lane-driving and to prevent ambulances from getting stuck in jams during the Commonwealth Games.
"There has been no prosecution on this offence till now," admitted special commissioner (traffic) Ajay Chadha, adding that enforcement would now be strict. "Once you spot an emergency vehicle like police van, fire tender or ambulance with siren, you have to move to the extreme left of the road and stop your vehicle. You cannot even move your vehicle till the emergency vehicles cross you," Chadha said.
He said the traffic police had educated commuters on this rule in the first week of September. "We have gone for some dummy runs. We have first educated them and then proceeded with the prosecution," said Garg.
While 17 prosections (five for ambulance and 12 for PCR obstruction) was made in New Delhi and south districts on Wednesday, the rest of the prosecution took place on Thursday all through the city.
In another significant decision, the Delhi traffic police said it would enforce stricter restrictions on two-lane roads in which a lane was earmarked for CWG vehicles. "We will not allow any overtaking of buses on the non-CWG lanes by cars and other vehicles if the bus is in motion. Overtaking will be allowed only at specified points near bus stops when the bus is static, under specific directions of the traffic cops. This will help us counter jams due to stagnant buses" said Garg. Personnel from NCC, Nagaland police and the Nirankari Mandal will also help direct traffic during the Games, traffic police said.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Ambulance-behind-Give-way-or-pay-up/articleshow/6527464.cms#ixzz0z6Z0k6Tu
Delhi for flexible work hrs
Friday, Sep 10, 2010
Traffic restrictions during the Commonwealth Games seem to be playing quite heavy on the mind of the Delhiites. In a recent survey on the perception, preferences, awareness and image of the Commonwealth Games, a majority of respondents said they wanted their work timings to be made flexible during the event.
To facilitate unobstructed and smooth flow to athletes, technical officers and delegates during the 10-day sporting extravaganza, Delhi traffic police have come up with a slew of measures and traffic restrictions around the games venues and the commonwealth games village, which are spread across the Capital.
A whopping 81 per cent said they were expecting new traffic rules and restrictions during the games and 71 per cent respondents said they knew traffic movement would be badly affect during the games. Interestingly, 88 per cent of the respondents said they would want their companies to consider flexible work timings for their employees to ensure they could move during off-peak hours and precious man hours are not lost in traffic jams.
Contrary to the general perception, 74 per cent respondent said they had no plans to go out on vacations when the games are on.
Seventy per cent respondents also feel that managing traffic would be one of the biggest concerns for the authorities. Respondents feel general safety and security for women are bigger challenges for the authorities.
The survey was carried out by well-known research and analytics' company — Absolutdata.
Original news source http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/sep/090910-Delhi-Commonwealth-Games-traffic.htm
Traffic restrictions during the Commonwealth Games seem to be playing quite heavy on the mind of the Delhiites. In a recent survey on the perception, preferences, awareness and image of the Commonwealth Games, a majority of respondents said they wanted their work timings to be made flexible during the event.
To facilitate unobstructed and smooth flow to athletes, technical officers and delegates during the 10-day sporting extravaganza, Delhi traffic police have come up with a slew of measures and traffic restrictions around the games venues and the commonwealth games village, which are spread across the Capital.
A whopping 81 per cent said they were expecting new traffic rules and restrictions during the games and 71 per cent respondents said they knew traffic movement would be badly affect during the games. Interestingly, 88 per cent of the respondents said they would want their companies to consider flexible work timings for their employees to ensure they could move during off-peak hours and precious man hours are not lost in traffic jams.
Contrary to the general perception, 74 per cent respondent said they had no plans to go out on vacations when the games are on.
Seventy per cent respondents also feel that managing traffic would be one of the biggest concerns for the authorities. Respondents feel general safety and security for women are bigger challenges for the authorities.
The survey was carried out by well-known research and analytics' company — Absolutdata.
Original news source http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/sep/090910-Delhi-Commonwealth-Games-traffic.htm
Games lane trials give Delhiites the blues
Thursday, Sep 09, 2010
It was 12 noon on Wednesday and seemed the perfect time to make a quick trip to the Commonwealth lanes trial. The event, happening for the first time on a weekday, was much anticipated as the vehicle volume was expected to increase.
Keep to the left: Games lane trials in Delhi on Wednesday.
Luckily, Delhi traffic police kept me updated me with messages and facebook updates about the trials. The trials were held from Commonwealth Games Village -NH24-upto Yamuna Sports Complex, Lodhi Road Madrasa -Lodhi Road flyover, Bhishm Pitamah Marg from T-point Lodhi Road- August Kranti Marg- Sirifort Sports Complex and Ring Road from T-point Bhairon Road upto Rajghat and Ring Road from Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mal Road.
I decided to take the CWG village to Yamuna Sports Complex route, and started my drive from the Akshardham flyover exactly at 12. Not surprisingly, I had to encounter traffic hiccups at the Geeta colony underpass for at least half an hour. The highly dedicated staff from the Delhi traffic police could be seen lined-up on the lanes demarcated for the Games.
At 12:30pm I managed to reach Laxmi Nagar. The traffic was choked for at least 20 more minutes at the Vikas Marg traffic signal. The traffic was choked for at least 20 more minutes at the Vikas Marg traffic signal. All vehicles around me were honking non-stop expecting the red light to turn green.
Amidst the pandemonium I realised that the "Penalty imposed Rs.2000" notice was really working and commuters were abiding by the sign boards that the traffic police had put in place. In between one or two vehicles strayed from their lanes but were "disciplined" by the traffic officials rather amicably.
I lost track of time while travelling from Laxmi Nagar to Preet Vihar, then to Karkardooma; it had taken almost 35 minutes more. It was already 1:10pm when I reached Karkardooma. Yamuna sports complex, which is just 20 minutes drive from Laxmi Nagar, seemed like a light year away. The average stoppage time was nearly 15 minutes and I finally reached my destination at 1:35pm. Traffic cops had done their job well but there was no escaping the road blues.
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
The Games lane trials on Wednesday were held from Commonwealth Games Village to Yamuna Sports Complex, Lodhi Road Madrasa - Lodhi Road flyover, Bhishma Pitamah Marg from T-point Lodhi Road - August Kranti Marg - Sirifort Sports Complex, Ring Road from T-point Bhairon Road upto Rajghat and Ring Road from Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mall Road. The next trial will be conducted on Thursday at Nizamuddin Bridge - Ring Road-Captain Gaur Marg upto Kalkaji Mandir and Sardar Patel Marg - Mother Teresa Crescent.
Original news source http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/sep/090910-Delhi-Commonwealth-Games-traffic.htm
It was 12 noon on Wednesday and seemed the perfect time to make a quick trip to the Commonwealth lanes trial. The event, happening for the first time on a weekday, was much anticipated as the vehicle volume was expected to increase.
Keep to the left: Games lane trials in Delhi on Wednesday.
Luckily, Delhi traffic police kept me updated me with messages and facebook updates about the trials. The trials were held from Commonwealth Games Village -NH24-upto Yamuna Sports Complex, Lodhi Road Madrasa -Lodhi Road flyover, Bhishm Pitamah Marg from T-point Lodhi Road- August Kranti Marg- Sirifort Sports Complex and Ring Road from T-point Bhairon Road upto Rajghat and Ring Road from Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mal Road.
I decided to take the CWG village to Yamuna Sports Complex route, and started my drive from the Akshardham flyover exactly at 12. Not surprisingly, I had to encounter traffic hiccups at the Geeta colony underpass for at least half an hour. The highly dedicated staff from the Delhi traffic police could be seen lined-up on the lanes demarcated for the Games.
At 12:30pm I managed to reach Laxmi Nagar. The traffic was choked for at least 20 more minutes at the Vikas Marg traffic signal. The traffic was choked for at least 20 more minutes at the Vikas Marg traffic signal. All vehicles around me were honking non-stop expecting the red light to turn green.
Amidst the pandemonium I realised that the "Penalty imposed Rs.2000" notice was really working and commuters were abiding by the sign boards that the traffic police had put in place. In between one or two vehicles strayed from their lanes but were "disciplined" by the traffic officials rather amicably.
I lost track of time while travelling from Laxmi Nagar to Preet Vihar, then to Karkardooma; it had taken almost 35 minutes more. It was already 1:10pm when I reached Karkardooma. Yamuna sports complex, which is just 20 minutes drive from Laxmi Nagar, seemed like a light year away. The average stoppage time was nearly 15 minutes and I finally reached my destination at 1:35pm. Traffic cops had done their job well but there was no escaping the road blues.
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
The Games lane trials on Wednesday were held from Commonwealth Games Village to Yamuna Sports Complex, Lodhi Road Madrasa - Lodhi Road flyover, Bhishma Pitamah Marg from T-point Lodhi Road - August Kranti Marg - Sirifort Sports Complex, Ring Road from T-point Bhairon Road upto Rajghat and Ring Road from Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mall Road. The next trial will be conducted on Thursday at Nizamuddin Bridge - Ring Road-Captain Gaur Marg upto Kalkaji Mandir and Sardar Patel Marg - Mother Teresa Crescent.
Original news source http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/sep/090910-Delhi-Commonwealth-Games-traffic.htm
Task force to check Delhi's traffic woes
Wednesday, Sep 08, 2010
Overwhelmed by the public response to their facebook account and helpline numbers, Delhi Police have constituted a Special Task Force (STF) to check rogue drivers, bring corrupt traffic cops to book and manage roads better.
Traffic police receive around 250-300 complaints on its helpline number, 23010101, and around 150-200 comments daily on their facebook account.
The STF consists of 22 traffic police personnel, drawn from its 10 districts. There are two inspectors to lead the team. Its operations are not linked to existing traffic police teams. The STF aims to strengthen the traffic management system in the capital where heavy rains in the monsoon season and continuing work for the October Commonwealth Games have been bringing traffic to a halt almost every day.
Ajay Chadha, special commissioner, Delhi Traffic Police, said the STF has been formed to conduct surprise checks across the city and to deter traffic rule violators.
"With a rise in the number of vehicles, traffic offences have also increased. There are several roads where slow movement of vehicles has become a regular phenomenon. Surprise checks will help regulate the traffic flow," Chadha told IANS.
Delhi has over four million vehicles, including public transport.
The STF was formed about a month ago and it has been conducting surprise checks along various stretches in the city. The name of the stretch is selected with care and kept under wraps until a day before action, said a senior officer.
The stretch is decided on the basis of public feedback. "We are getting commuters' feedback through facebook and helplines. We decide the stretch for surprise checks according to complaints," said the officer.
For instance, the traffic police's facebook account Tuesday carried a post: "Delhi Traffic Police @Mr.Parteek Kapoor, action is taken against the erring police personnel and 2,397 police personnel have been prosecuted during current year.(AR)."
The STF has been kept away from local traffic police teams so that it can keep an eye on the working of the latter. "It would help in better productivity of local traffic police officials," added the officer.
Senior police officers believe the formation of the STF would also help in keeping check over corrupt practices in the force. "Sometimes we receive complaints of corruption. The STF would act as a deterrent in that regard," said a senior officer.
Delhi Traffic Police have a strength of about 5,500 personnel and about 600 additional hands would be added before the Commonwealth Games in October.
The additional force would help in managing the city's traffic during the Games. At present, there is hardly any monitoring of roads at night. But in the coming days, this too would be started, an officer said.
Original news source http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/task-force-to-check-delhi-s-traffic-woes-50584
Overwhelmed by the public response to their facebook account and helpline numbers, Delhi Police have constituted a Special Task Force (STF) to check rogue drivers, bring corrupt traffic cops to book and manage roads better.
Traffic police receive around 250-300 complaints on its helpline number, 23010101, and around 150-200 comments daily on their facebook account.
The STF consists of 22 traffic police personnel, drawn from its 10 districts. There are two inspectors to lead the team. Its operations are not linked to existing traffic police teams. The STF aims to strengthen the traffic management system in the capital where heavy rains in the monsoon season and continuing work for the October Commonwealth Games have been bringing traffic to a halt almost every day.
Ajay Chadha, special commissioner, Delhi Traffic Police, said the STF has been formed to conduct surprise checks across the city and to deter traffic rule violators.
"With a rise in the number of vehicles, traffic offences have also increased. There are several roads where slow movement of vehicles has become a regular phenomenon. Surprise checks will help regulate the traffic flow," Chadha told IANS.
Delhi has over four million vehicles, including public transport.
The STF was formed about a month ago and it has been conducting surprise checks along various stretches in the city. The name of the stretch is selected with care and kept under wraps until a day before action, said a senior officer.
The stretch is decided on the basis of public feedback. "We are getting commuters' feedback through facebook and helplines. We decide the stretch for surprise checks according to complaints," said the officer.
For instance, the traffic police's facebook account Tuesday carried a post: "Delhi Traffic Police @Mr.Parteek Kapoor, action is taken against the erring police personnel and 2,397 police personnel have been prosecuted during current year.(AR)."
The STF has been kept away from local traffic police teams so that it can keep an eye on the working of the latter. "It would help in better productivity of local traffic police officials," added the officer.
Senior police officers believe the formation of the STF would also help in keeping check over corrupt practices in the force. "Sometimes we receive complaints of corruption. The STF would act as a deterrent in that regard," said a senior officer.
Delhi Traffic Police have a strength of about 5,500 personnel and about 600 additional hands would be added before the Commonwealth Games in October.
The additional force would help in managing the city's traffic during the Games. At present, there is hardly any monitoring of roads at night. But in the coming days, this too would be started, an officer said.
Original news source http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/task-force-to-check-delhi-s-traffic-woes-50584
Monday, September 6, 2010
BPOs, police to provide traffic alerts to staff
Monday, Sep 06, 2010
The business processing outsourcing (BPO) centres have worked out an arrangement with the Delhi Traffic Police department to alert its executives to avoid congested stretches in the Capital. BPOs' apex association, Business Processing Industries Association of India (BPIAI), will now use the available helplines being provided by the Delhi Traffic Police department to get to know about the congested roads and diversions well in advance and accordingly guide their executives and cab operators to avoid such routes in Delhi.
The decision was taken in a meeting between the BPIAI and the Delhi Traffic Police recently. The BPIAI will now hold a similar meeting with the traffic police departments of Gurgaon and Noida also.
"Last Thursday, we had a meeting with the special commissioner of traffic police, Ajay Chadha, and his team in Delhi to discuss the issue of traffic jams and congested roads. The traffic police officials offered us the helpline numbers to get information about the traffic diversion plans well in advance. Our people will use these helplines and pass on the information about congested locations to our executives and also the cabs that ferry them from Gurgaon and Noida to their homes in Delhi," said Deepak Ohliyan, the BPIAI president.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/BPOs-police-to-provide-traffic-alerts-to-staff/Article1-596574.aspx
The business processing outsourcing (BPO) centres have worked out an arrangement with the Delhi Traffic Police department to alert its executives to avoid congested stretches in the Capital. BPOs' apex association, Business Processing Industries Association of India (BPIAI), will now use the available helplines being provided by the Delhi Traffic Police department to get to know about the congested roads and diversions well in advance and accordingly guide their executives and cab operators to avoid such routes in Delhi.
The decision was taken in a meeting between the BPIAI and the Delhi Traffic Police recently. The BPIAI will now hold a similar meeting with the traffic police departments of Gurgaon and Noida also.
"Last Thursday, we had a meeting with the special commissioner of traffic police, Ajay Chadha, and his team in Delhi to discuss the issue of traffic jams and congested roads. The traffic police officials offered us the helpline numbers to get information about the traffic diversion plans well in advance. Our people will use these helplines and pass on the information about congested locations to our executives and also the cabs that ferry them from Gurgaon and Noida to their homes in Delhi," said Deepak Ohliyan, the BPIAI president.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/BPOs-police-to-provide-traffic-alerts-to-staff/Article1-596574.aspx
In 11 months, 1,378 lose licence for drunk driving
Monday, Sep 06, 2010
Last October, the Delhi Traffic Police had given an ultimatum to the Delhiites to drive sober or not at all. And just after 11 months, a whopping 1,378 people have lost their driving licences for six months. As a part of the Delhi government's zero-tolerance policy on drunken driving, the Delhi
Traffic Police, transport department and the high court have joined hands to curb the menace of drunken driving, which claim 1,500 lives every year on Delhi roads.
According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, those caught driving under the influence of alcohol have to either pay a fine of Rs 2,000 or face six months' imprisonment, or both. A second-time offender, caught drunk behind the wheel within the next three years, would either face three years in prison or a fine of Rs 3,000, or both.
"Gone are the days when one could get away with paying just R2,000 as challan for drunk driving. Drunken driving will now result in confiscation of the driving licence at least for six months. If the offence is repeated, the accused will lose his driving right for good," said Ajay Chadha, Special CP (Traffic).
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/In-11-months-1-378-lose-licence-for-drunk-driving/Article1-596575.aspx
Last October, the Delhi Traffic Police had given an ultimatum to the Delhiites to drive sober or not at all. And just after 11 months, a whopping 1,378 people have lost their driving licences for six months. As a part of the Delhi government's zero-tolerance policy on drunken driving, the Delhi
Traffic Police, transport department and the high court have joined hands to curb the menace of drunken driving, which claim 1,500 lives every year on Delhi roads.
According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, those caught driving under the influence of alcohol have to either pay a fine of Rs 2,000 or face six months' imprisonment, or both. A second-time offender, caught drunk behind the wheel within the next three years, would either face three years in prison or a fine of Rs 3,000, or both.
"Gone are the days when one could get away with paying just R2,000 as challan for drunk driving. Drunken driving will now result in confiscation of the driving licence at least for six months. If the offence is repeated, the accused will lose his driving right for good," said Ajay Chadha, Special CP (Traffic).
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/In-11-months-1-378-lose-licence-for-drunk-driving/Article1-596575.aspx
Vehicles crawl as trials are on at roads partially closed to accommodate CWG vehicles
Monday, Sep 06, 2010
After Saturday's nightmare of long traffic snarls due to Commonwealth lanes' trials, Delhi commuters were put to test again on Sunday morning from 11 am to 1 pm from NH-24 Nizamuddin to Noida Mod and IP College to Chhatra Marg. Keeping the previous day's mess in mind, trials were kept on a lean Sunday when traffic volume is almost half.
A total of 40 people from the Delhi traffic police were deployed to ensure that the trials are a success and this was largely done to avoid any kind of pandemonium. On Saturday, the city police conducted trials on Dhaula Kuan up to Hotel Samrat and on Vinay Marg to Africa Avenue which led to traffic issues.
The situation on Sunday was a little controlled according to the Joint commissioner of police, traffic. "It was a successful trial being a Sunday, but we are yet to see the situation when we will have the trials during weekdays. The most important idea is to educate more and more commuters about the CWG lane," he said.
The CWG lane meant exclusively for athletes and other VIPs during the Games extends for about 210 km through the entire Capital. These trials are meant to gauge the impact of segregating a separate lane in the upcoming days. A lot of road planning experts believe that there is no other option to manage traffic other than dedicating a lane for CWG officials and athletes.
The movement of these athletes, VIPs and media will be crucial during the Games and considering the Delhi traffic in mind, if this is not done then there are high chances of them getting stuck in jams. P K Sarkar, Professor, School of Planning and Architecture says the traffic situation will be messy if the management is not done properly.
"I did a study on the management of traffic plans of Melbourne and Seoul and the rules were quite strict there with a fantastic system. It is a customary practice which has no substitute. There has to be comprehensive traffic management and the public should also be involved in decision making so as to avoid any problems," he said. During the Games the volume of traffic is expected to be high but many believe that closure of schools and colleges will reduce some congestion.
S Gangopadhyaya, Director, Central Road Research Institute welcomes it as a necessary move. "It is impossible to predict the traffic situation during the Games now but a little bit of cooperation from the public and effective traffic management can make this step a success. Due to event many people will prefer to stay indoors knowing that the possibility of traffic jams will be high," he said.
Not all the CWG lanes will be blocked simultaneously; there will be proper scheduling keeping the traffic situation in mind. "There will be an element of doubt as far as Delhi's traffic is concerned so a better cleaning of encroachments and garbage is required to avoid traffic jams near these lanes," said S Gangopadhyaya.
AVOID THE BLUES
2000 traffic police personnel would be deployed all along the Games route. They would monitor and levy fines on those drivers straying into the CWG lanes from September 20 when the athletes start arriving. There will be zero tolerance during this period. The traffic police have already given out a proposal for dedicated lanes. The penalty for prohibition on Games lane will amount to rupees 2000. The lane will be declared under 115 Motor Vehicle Act, the violation for which is rupees 2000. The dedicated lane is part of the contract entered into by the host city and Commonwealth Games Federation.
Original news source http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/sep/060910-Delhi-CWG-vehicles-traffic.htm
After Saturday's nightmare of long traffic snarls due to Commonwealth lanes' trials, Delhi commuters were put to test again on Sunday morning from 11 am to 1 pm from NH-24 Nizamuddin to Noida Mod and IP College to Chhatra Marg. Keeping the previous day's mess in mind, trials were kept on a lean Sunday when traffic volume is almost half.
A total of 40 people from the Delhi traffic police were deployed to ensure that the trials are a success and this was largely done to avoid any kind of pandemonium. On Saturday, the city police conducted trials on Dhaula Kuan up to Hotel Samrat and on Vinay Marg to Africa Avenue which led to traffic issues.
The situation on Sunday was a little controlled according to the Joint commissioner of police, traffic. "It was a successful trial being a Sunday, but we are yet to see the situation when we will have the trials during weekdays. The most important idea is to educate more and more commuters about the CWG lane," he said.
The CWG lane meant exclusively for athletes and other VIPs during the Games extends for about 210 km through the entire Capital. These trials are meant to gauge the impact of segregating a separate lane in the upcoming days. A lot of road planning experts believe that there is no other option to manage traffic other than dedicating a lane for CWG officials and athletes.
The movement of these athletes, VIPs and media will be crucial during the Games and considering the Delhi traffic in mind, if this is not done then there are high chances of them getting stuck in jams. P K Sarkar, Professor, School of Planning and Architecture says the traffic situation will be messy if the management is not done properly.
"I did a study on the management of traffic plans of Melbourne and Seoul and the rules were quite strict there with a fantastic system. It is a customary practice which has no substitute. There has to be comprehensive traffic management and the public should also be involved in decision making so as to avoid any problems," he said. During the Games the volume of traffic is expected to be high but many believe that closure of schools and colleges will reduce some congestion.
S Gangopadhyaya, Director, Central Road Research Institute welcomes it as a necessary move. "It is impossible to predict the traffic situation during the Games now but a little bit of cooperation from the public and effective traffic management can make this step a success. Due to event many people will prefer to stay indoors knowing that the possibility of traffic jams will be high," he said.
Not all the CWG lanes will be blocked simultaneously; there will be proper scheduling keeping the traffic situation in mind. "There will be an element of doubt as far as Delhi's traffic is concerned so a better cleaning of encroachments and garbage is required to avoid traffic jams near these lanes," said S Gangopadhyaya.
AVOID THE BLUES
2000 traffic police personnel would be deployed all along the Games route. They would monitor and levy fines on those drivers straying into the CWG lanes from September 20 when the athletes start arriving. There will be zero tolerance during this period. The traffic police have already given out a proposal for dedicated lanes. The penalty for prohibition on Games lane will amount to rupees 2000. The lane will be declared under 115 Motor Vehicle Act, the violation for which is rupees 2000. The dedicated lane is part of the contract entered into by the host city and Commonwealth Games Federation.
Original news source http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/sep/060910-Delhi-CWG-vehicles-traffic.htm
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