Monday, 31 May, 2010
As Connaught Place gets a makeover before the Commonwealth Games, the tony marketplace in the heart of the city has become a nightmare for shoppers and office-goers.
Several parking lots have been dug up for restoration work or construction of subways due to which cars are parked on the main road. This is slowing down the movement of traffic. The Middle Circle is also out of bounds, forcing all vehicles on to Inner Circle and Outer Circle. ''There is no place to park so I asked my driver to wait on the road while I paid my phone bill'' said Neena Khurana, a Gole Market resident.
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has taken up two parking lots in Inner Circle for creation of parking bays. After levelling the road, the civic agency plans to create dedicated parking bays with markings for vehicles in each of the lots. The remaining parking lots will also be taken up in a phased manner. Even in Outer Circle where construction and renovation of subways are underway, a portion of the parking lot has been taken over to dump construction material. With subways out of bounds, thousands of pedestrians are having a tough time crossing the main road in Outer Circle.
''We form groups and then stop cars before crossing the road,'' said Ramesh Gupta, who works in CP. To compound matters, several traffic signals are not working. The traffic police said about five signals had been switched off in Outer Circle as the movement of vehicles was faster without them. One traffic signal is not working due to construction work. ''Manual regulation is working out better. Hence, signals have been switched off at some places,'' said a senior official.
The mess is not just limited to dug-up roads. The corridors and bylanes are filled with construction material. ''I tried walking through the corridors from E-block to M-block and had concrete and cement falling on my head. The facades of buildings are being broken and there are no safety nets to prevent injury to people below,'' said Pritam Kaur, a shopper.
The situation is not likely to improve any time soon. ''Work on parking lots and facades in Inner Circle will be completed by June, the ducting in Middle Circle will end by August and Outer Circle will be restored after work on the subways ends in September. We've deployed marshals to minimise inconvenience,'' said Anand Tiwari, NDMC spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Delhiites are resigned to their fate. ''Nothing can be done now. We wonder if the subways will be completed by September,'' said Atul Bhargava, New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) president.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Delhi/For-CP-makeover-Delhi-pays-the-price/articleshow/5992672.cms
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
New parking plan for buses at night
Friday, May 28, 2010
To ensure that buses are not parked by the roadside at night, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is planning to allow them to use the civic body's parking lots.
According to the MCD, its parking lots are entirely vacant at night and by allowing buses to be parked there it can also earn revenue. The civic agency is yet to determine the parking amount to be charged. At present, the MCD has about 150 surface parking lots under its jurisdiction.
An MCD official said: "We have received a request from bus associations that they don't have adequate space to park their buses at night and we have asked them to identify all the areas where parking space is needed by them. Thereafter we will make a zone-wise list and provide them space accordingly. The parking lots where buses would be allowed will be equipped with a cleaning station as well."
The civic agency is also planning to use the parking lots for parking the e-rickshaws to be introduced by it soon.
Original Article sourced from http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/28/stories/2010052858110400.htm
Friday, May 28, 2010
Watch your step, it’s a Games mess in Campus
Saturday, 29 May, 2010
Traffic was thrown out of gear in Delhi University's north campus on Friday. With the Gamesrelated construction work on in full swing, students were seen struggling to make their way through broken footpaths in a dust-filled environment.
The worst affected intersections were near the major centers for distribution of admission forms such as the Arts faculty, Kirori Mal College and the Dean Students ' Welfare office — that saw a turnout of over 40,000 as per rough estimates. A protest held by members of National Students' Union of India against displacement of Baba Bhim Rao Ambedkar's statue from the Delhi University Student Union office , which has been demolished for fresh construction, added to the chaos.
"With North Campus full of admission seekers, traffic in the area was affected. Private vehicles had clogged the space even as pedestrians were forced to walk on the roads as footpaths were broken or under renovation ," said Sagarpreet Hooda , DCP (north).
Hooda advised DU aspirants and their parents coming to the campus to buy forms to use public transport . Monica Sharma, a DU aspirant, complained about lack of signages at the work sites. "Near St Stephen's and Arts faculty, footpaths are only partially covered. There are high chances of someone falling into the open drain," she said.
Many admission-seekers from the Northeast states, Jharkhand and Bihar felt the construction and demolition work across the campus could have been better planned to allow smooth flow of traffic in the area.
"I expected the college and the campus to be more beautiful. But all I see here is demolished buildings, dug up roads and dust. Hopefully , the construction work will be over by the time our classes start this session," said Biswapriya Yonjon, a student from Manipur.
About 400 police personnel were deployed in North Campus to maintain law and order. These included women constables and plainclothesmen . Four companies were deployed.
"No untoward incident was reported on the first day of the admission season. Our officers were patrolling all along. I visited the area in the afternoon for inspection ," added Hooda.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Delhi/Watch-your-step-its-a-Games-mess-/articleshow/5987373.cms
Traffic was thrown out of gear in Delhi University's north campus on Friday. With the Gamesrelated construction work on in full swing, students were seen struggling to make their way through broken footpaths in a dust-filled environment.
The worst affected intersections were near the major centers for distribution of admission forms such as the Arts faculty, Kirori Mal College and the Dean Students ' Welfare office — that saw a turnout of over 40,000 as per rough estimates. A protest held by members of National Students' Union of India against displacement of Baba Bhim Rao Ambedkar's statue from the Delhi University Student Union office , which has been demolished for fresh construction, added to the chaos.
"With North Campus full of admission seekers, traffic in the area was affected. Private vehicles had clogged the space even as pedestrians were forced to walk on the roads as footpaths were broken or under renovation ," said Sagarpreet Hooda , DCP (north).
Hooda advised DU aspirants and their parents coming to the campus to buy forms to use public transport . Monica Sharma, a DU aspirant, complained about lack of signages at the work sites. "Near St Stephen's and Arts faculty, footpaths are only partially covered. There are high chances of someone falling into the open drain," she said.
Many admission-seekers from the Northeast states, Jharkhand and Bihar felt the construction and demolition work across the campus could have been better planned to allow smooth flow of traffic in the area.
"I expected the college and the campus to be more beautiful. But all I see here is demolished buildings, dug up roads and dust. Hopefully , the construction work will be over by the time our classes start this session," said Biswapriya Yonjon, a student from Manipur.
About 400 police personnel were deployed in North Campus to maintain law and order. These included women constables and plainclothesmen . Four companies were deployed.
"No untoward incident was reported on the first day of the admission season. Our officers were patrolling all along. I visited the area in the afternoon for inspection ," added Hooda.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Delhi/Watch-your-step-its-a-Games-mess-/articleshow/5987373.cms
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Help us tame rickshaws, cops to Govt
Wednesday, 26 May, 2010
In a bid to ensure smooth traffic movement and bring down street accidents, Delhi traffic police are pressing the government for appropriate legislation to deal with cycle rickshaws, which, according to them, hinder traffic management in the Capital.
After a recent High Court judgment removed the cap imposed by MCD with respect to cycle rickshaws licenses, Delhi Traffic police on May 6 wrote to the state chief secretary and the Lieutenant Governor to translate the proposed 'Rickshaw Policy' into an act and thereby empower police to deal with rickshaws.
Cycle rickshaws were introduced in Delhi in the 1940s and it was expected that these would disappear with the growth of modern, motorised transport. But their numbers have grown phenomenally in the last two decades. Presently, a couple of lakh of rickshaws ply on Delhi roads.
"We have asked for MCD to be empowered to give zone-wise registration to each rickshaw with a restriction to their operating areas," said Ajay Chadha, special commissioner (Traffic).
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Help-us-tame-rickshaws-cops-to-Govt/Article1-549026.aspx
In a bid to ensure smooth traffic movement and bring down street accidents, Delhi traffic police are pressing the government for appropriate legislation to deal with cycle rickshaws, which, according to them, hinder traffic management in the Capital.
After a recent High Court judgment removed the cap imposed by MCD with respect to cycle rickshaws licenses, Delhi Traffic police on May 6 wrote to the state chief secretary and the Lieutenant Governor to translate the proposed 'Rickshaw Policy' into an act and thereby empower police to deal with rickshaws.
Cycle rickshaws were introduced in Delhi in the 1940s and it was expected that these would disappear with the growth of modern, motorised transport. But their numbers have grown phenomenally in the last two decades. Presently, a couple of lakh of rickshaws ply on Delhi roads.
"We have asked for MCD to be empowered to give zone-wise registration to each rickshaw with a restriction to their operating areas," said Ajay Chadha, special commissioner (Traffic).
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Help-us-tame-rickshaws-cops-to-Govt/Article1-549026.aspx
Monday, May 24, 2010
Delhi hikes road tax for luxury cars, high-end bikes
Monday, 24 May, 2010
Driving a car, especially a luxury car or a high-end motorcycle, is set to get costlier in the capital. The Delhi cabinet Monday decided to raise the vehicles' road tax rates in a bid to generate additional revenue for the city government.
According to the revised road tax rates the cabinet cleared with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in the chair, two-wheelers costing up to Rs.25,000 will be charged the existing two percent, while two-wheelers costing between Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 will now attract four percent road tax and those above Rs.40,000 will be charged six percent.
The rate for cars, priced up to Rs.6 lakh, has been doubled to four percent, while it has gone up to seven percent on those costing between Rs.6 lakh and Rs.10 lakh. Those owning motor vehicles costing Rs.10 lakh would have to pay a road tax of 10 percent.
The new rate will come into force after the issue of a notification.
This will go a long way in restricting purchase of luxury cars and discouraging use of private vehicles in the city, Dikshit told reporters after the meeting.
"The rates have been rationalised to also enhance revenue generation," she said, adding rationalisation of road tax was needed to replace the rates existing for decades.
Dikshit noted that the new rates were rationalised in such a way that there will be marginal effect on purchase of two-wheelers and non-luxury cars.
However, the chief minister said the cabinet decided to retain prevalent rates on public utility vehicles such as public goods careers as it would have adverse impact on common man.
A Delhi government official said the rates prevalent in the neighbouring states were also considered before taking a decision.
The official said about 1,000 new vehicles are registered in the city every day and add to the traffic chaos on roads. There are around 6 million vehicles in Delhi, which has an estimated population of 12 million.
The state cabinet recently also approved a proposal to revise registration fee of properties to generate an additional revenue of Rs.100 crore.
Original news source http://blog.taragana.com/business/2010/05/24/delhi-hikes-road-tax-for-luxury-cars-high-end-bikes-64150/
Driving a car, especially a luxury car or a high-end motorcycle, is set to get costlier in the capital. The Delhi cabinet Monday decided to raise the vehicles' road tax rates in a bid to generate additional revenue for the city government.
According to the revised road tax rates the cabinet cleared with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in the chair, two-wheelers costing up to Rs.25,000 will be charged the existing two percent, while two-wheelers costing between Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 will now attract four percent road tax and those above Rs.40,000 will be charged six percent.
The rate for cars, priced up to Rs.6 lakh, has been doubled to four percent, while it has gone up to seven percent on those costing between Rs.6 lakh and Rs.10 lakh. Those owning motor vehicles costing Rs.10 lakh would have to pay a road tax of 10 percent.
The new rate will come into force after the issue of a notification.
This will go a long way in restricting purchase of luxury cars and discouraging use of private vehicles in the city, Dikshit told reporters after the meeting.
"The rates have been rationalised to also enhance revenue generation," she said, adding rationalisation of road tax was needed to replace the rates existing for decades.
Dikshit noted that the new rates were rationalised in such a way that there will be marginal effect on purchase of two-wheelers and non-luxury cars.
However, the chief minister said the cabinet decided to retain prevalent rates on public utility vehicles such as public goods careers as it would have adverse impact on common man.
A Delhi government official said the rates prevalent in the neighbouring states were also considered before taking a decision.
The official said about 1,000 new vehicles are registered in the city every day and add to the traffic chaos on roads. There are around 6 million vehicles in Delhi, which has an estimated population of 12 million.
The state cabinet recently also approved a proposal to revise registration fee of properties to generate an additional revenue of Rs.100 crore.
Original news source http://blog.taragana.com/business/2010/05/24/delhi-hikes-road-tax-for-luxury-cars-high-end-bikes-64150/
To manage traffic, cops want courts, shops shut
Monday, 24 May, 2010
The Commonwealth Games are likely to affect commercial and legal activities. To ease traffic movement and to manage traffic, Delhi government has ordered all major markets in Delhi to remain shut at least during the games' opening and closing days.
The government also wrote to the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court registrar generals asking them to keep the courts shut during the games. This request was turned down. Now, the Delhi Police wants the lower courts to remain closed for three days from October 11.
"Through the chief secretary, we had appealed to the registrar generals of Supreme Court and High Court to announce Dusshera holidays of courts from October 4 instead of October 9. We wanted the courts to be closed during the games as High Court, Supreme Court and Patiala Court are near the games venue. The plea was turned down. The courts will stay shut from October 9 for Dusshera. Now we are asking the authorities to keep the lower courts shut for three days," said Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner, Delhi Traffic Police.
Rajeev Khoshma, former president of Delhi Bar Association, said: "They want the lower courts closed only for three days. I think the plea should be granted in national interest."
Business activities, however, will suffer the most with most markets closed on opening and closing days of the games.
Major markets including Chandni Chowk, Dilli Haat, Janak Puri, Karol Bagh, Khan Market and shopping malls will stay shut on first and last day of the games. Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary, Confederation of All India Traders: "We will suffer losses of nearly Rs 500 crore."
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/To-manage-traffic-cops-want-courts-shops-shut/Article1-548037.aspx
The Commonwealth Games are likely to affect commercial and legal activities. To ease traffic movement and to manage traffic, Delhi government has ordered all major markets in Delhi to remain shut at least during the games' opening and closing days.
The government also wrote to the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court registrar generals asking them to keep the courts shut during the games. This request was turned down. Now, the Delhi Police wants the lower courts to remain closed for three days from October 11.
"Through the chief secretary, we had appealed to the registrar generals of Supreme Court and High Court to announce Dusshera holidays of courts from October 4 instead of October 9. We wanted the courts to be closed during the games as High Court, Supreme Court and Patiala Court are near the games venue. The plea was turned down. The courts will stay shut from October 9 for Dusshera. Now we are asking the authorities to keep the lower courts shut for three days," said Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner, Delhi Traffic Police.
Rajeev Khoshma, former president of Delhi Bar Association, said: "They want the lower courts closed only for three days. I think the plea should be granted in national interest."
Business activities, however, will suffer the most with most markets closed on opening and closing days of the games.
Major markets including Chandni Chowk, Dilli Haat, Janak Puri, Karol Bagh, Khan Market and shopping malls will stay shut on first and last day of the games. Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary, Confederation of All India Traders: "We will suffer losses of nearly Rs 500 crore."
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/To-manage-traffic-cops-want-courts-shops-shut/Article1-548037.aspx
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Top firms line up for Rs 300-cr intelligent traffic management system in New Delhi
Sunday, 23 May, 2010
Top Indian and multinational technology firms are queuing up for a slice of Delhi Police's ambitious Rs 300-crore project to set up and manage an intelligent traffic management system or ITS in the National Capital.
According to the documents available with Business Line, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Infosystems, Mahindra Satyam and Tejas Networks are among the 15 companies that have evinced interest in the much-delayed project.
International players who have purchased the bid document include the likes of Steria, Siemens and Cisco.
ITS map
Under the proposed ITS map, 275 traffic signals in the National Capital region would be covered and the IP-based CCTV cameras installed at every point to monitor traffic movement and also identify traffic violators.
The system will be trained to read vehicles registration numbers of automobiles and also help in communication of important messages to motorists through the mobile and the Internet.
The video receipt from the cameras will then be analysed by software for definite incident detection and help in its management.
"In a project of this magnitude, different technologies such as area traffic control system, traffic monitoring system, traffic signals, variable message signs, speed violation cameras, CCTVs among others will be used.
Integration of different technologies
Software companies will have a major play in integrating these technologies and in making they talk to each other," a top official with one of the tier-I IT companies, bidding for this project, said.
The winning bidder will have to setup the ITS system within 18 months and subsequently maintain it for a period of seven years. Since hardware, software and networking gear makers will have a significant role in this project, the tender allows interested parties to bid as a consortium.
Consortium
However, the total stake of an Indian company in the consortium will have to be at least 51 per cent.
It may be recalled that the ITS system was expected to go live before the Commonwealth Games in October this year.
However, the process of floating the tenders kept getting delayed time and again.
Meanwhile, the scope of the work, in terms of the areas covered, will also get extended. Now the interested parties will have to submit their bids by May 31.
Original news source http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/05/24/stories/2010052450450200.htm
Top Indian and multinational technology firms are queuing up for a slice of Delhi Police's ambitious Rs 300-crore project to set up and manage an intelligent traffic management system or ITS in the National Capital.
According to the documents available with Business Line, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Infosystems, Mahindra Satyam and Tejas Networks are among the 15 companies that have evinced interest in the much-delayed project.
International players who have purchased the bid document include the likes of Steria, Siemens and Cisco.
ITS map
Under the proposed ITS map, 275 traffic signals in the National Capital region would be covered and the IP-based CCTV cameras installed at every point to monitor traffic movement and also identify traffic violators.
The system will be trained to read vehicles registration numbers of automobiles and also help in communication of important messages to motorists through the mobile and the Internet.
The video receipt from the cameras will then be analysed by software for definite incident detection and help in its management.
"In a project of this magnitude, different technologies such as area traffic control system, traffic monitoring system, traffic signals, variable message signs, speed violation cameras, CCTVs among others will be used.
Integration of different technologies
Software companies will have a major play in integrating these technologies and in making they talk to each other," a top official with one of the tier-I IT companies, bidding for this project, said.
The winning bidder will have to setup the ITS system within 18 months and subsequently maintain it for a period of seven years. Since hardware, software and networking gear makers will have a significant role in this project, the tender allows interested parties to bid as a consortium.
Consortium
However, the total stake of an Indian company in the consortium will have to be at least 51 per cent.
It may be recalled that the ITS system was expected to go live before the Commonwealth Games in October this year.
However, the process of floating the tenders kept getting delayed time and again.
Meanwhile, the scope of the work, in terms of the areas covered, will also get extended. Now the interested parties will have to submit their bids by May 31.
Original news source http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/05/24/stories/2010052450450200.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
