Friday, July 30, 2010
Driving down to the new airport to pick up someone and intend using the new multilevel parking lot? Be prepared to shell out a bomb. Parking in the general category for half an hour is Rs 50 but a minute more than that and one could end up paying double. For frequent fliers who park their vehicles for more than eight hours, the charge is Rs 600.
The parking charges that have been finalized by Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) for the new parking facility which has come up at the new terminal T3 have been fixed at Rs 50 for the first 30 minutes in the general category and Rs 70 for the special category. For upto two hours, passengers will have to shell out Rs 100 and Rs 140 respectively. For every one hour subsequently, upto eight hours, Rs 50 and Rs 70 respectively will be added to this. Finally, if a vehicle is parked for more than eight hours, the daily charge would be Rs 600 and Rs 900 respectively.
Passengers who used the facility over the first two days were aghast at the fares. They claimed that it was taking an easy 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to walk out of the arrival terminal after landing in Delhi and there was no way that one could park for less than half an hour. "From the point when one lands to the time one leaves the terminal, there are several factors that determine how long it would take to complete all formalities. The current rates are also higher than those that were being charged at the new domestic terminal. I don't see why rates are different when facilities are the same,'' said Atul Makhija, who had come to pick up his wife at the new terminal.
The problem is even more acute at present since the airport is grappling with initial glitches. On Wednesday, passengers of the AI 102 that landed at T3 around 5.15pm took over an hour to get their baggage since the conveyor belt kept stalling frequently. "I called my brother when we landed and he reached the airport half an hour later but it still took us an additional 45 minutes to come out since there was some problem with the baggage. He ended up paying Rs 100 for parking the car,'' said Pratiksha Joshi, a passenger.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Parking-at-IGI-an-expensive-proposition-/articleshow/6234560.cms
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Biker killed soon after being given lessons by cops
Thursday, July 29, 2010
For Saket Khan (15) and two friends, Tuesday night — when the festival of Shab-e-Barat was being celebrated — was the occasion for a joyride on a bike across central Delhi. Hundreds of youth were similarly out on the streets, mostly on two-wheelers. The three boys were caught by cops and reprimanded for the way they were driving and for not wearing helmets. They were given leaflets on road safety and finally allowed to go.
They drove towards Majnu Ka Tila in north Delhi, apparently to get fuel, when on a flyover near the Tibetan colony, they were hit by an unidentified vehicle around 3.15am. Saket was rushed to LNJP Hospital where he was declared brought dead while the other two suffered injuries.
Saket's father, Rahees Ahmed (55), stays in east Delhi's New Ashok Nagar and has a big family. He runs a shoe shop in Sadar Bazaar. He was in a state of shock and couldn't comment on the incident.
When this reporter tried to contact senior traffic police officers on Wednesday, they said they would need to check facts and only then would they comment. However, they added that some challans were being issued to some numbers that were jotted down.
This comes close on the heels of another group of bikers performing stunts and harassing people in the Connaught Place area just a few days back. Why the cops don't crack down on such brazen violation of traffic rules, which could save some lives, is a mystery. Giving lessons on how to drive safely at midnight to hordes of violators makes a mockery of the law.
On Tuesday night, the bikers had a free run of south, central and north Delhi, primarily putting their own lives at risk. Almost all the bikes had three to four riders who were not wearing helmets though no stunts or violence of any kind was reported.
The cops pleaded they were helpless. "What can you do when the main focus for us is tackling terror?" said a central district officer. Joint commissioner (New Delhi Range) Dharmendra Kumar said they had stopped a few riders and "given them lessons in safe driving. There was overloading and some noise as they moved together. However, we ensured that they did not indulge in stunts," he said.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Biker-killed-soon-after-being-given-lessons-by-cops/articleshow/6230816.cms
For Saket Khan (15) and two friends, Tuesday night — when the festival of Shab-e-Barat was being celebrated — was the occasion for a joyride on a bike across central Delhi. Hundreds of youth were similarly out on the streets, mostly on two-wheelers. The three boys were caught by cops and reprimanded for the way they were driving and for not wearing helmets. They were given leaflets on road safety and finally allowed to go.
They drove towards Majnu Ka Tila in north Delhi, apparently to get fuel, when on a flyover near the Tibetan colony, they were hit by an unidentified vehicle around 3.15am. Saket was rushed to LNJP Hospital where he was declared brought dead while the other two suffered injuries.
Saket's father, Rahees Ahmed (55), stays in east Delhi's New Ashok Nagar and has a big family. He runs a shoe shop in Sadar Bazaar. He was in a state of shock and couldn't comment on the incident.
When this reporter tried to contact senior traffic police officers on Wednesday, they said they would need to check facts and only then would they comment. However, they added that some challans were being issued to some numbers that were jotted down.
This comes close on the heels of another group of bikers performing stunts and harassing people in the Connaught Place area just a few days back. Why the cops don't crack down on such brazen violation of traffic rules, which could save some lives, is a mystery. Giving lessons on how to drive safely at midnight to hordes of violators makes a mockery of the law.
On Tuesday night, the bikers had a free run of south, central and north Delhi, primarily putting their own lives at risk. Almost all the bikes had three to four riders who were not wearing helmets though no stunts or violence of any kind was reported.
The cops pleaded they were helpless. "What can you do when the main focus for us is tackling terror?" said a central district officer. Joint commissioner (New Delhi Range) Dharmendra Kumar said they had stopped a few riders and "given them lessons in safe driving. There was overloading and some noise as they moved together. However, we ensured that they did not indulge in stunts," he said.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Biker-killed-soon-after-being-given-lessons-by-cops/articleshow/6230816.cms
Cops at receiving end of Facebook traffic vigil
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Delhi Traffic Police debuted on Facebook in May promising to "respond urgently" to complaints posted on its fan page. Only three months later, eager Delhiites have uploaded close to 3,000 photographs of alleged traffic violations exhorting the police to take action. What's interesting and
ironical is the violators include occupants of 29 police vehicles and an additional 19 private vehicles driven by policemen.
Based on such "visual evidence", the department has launched disciplinary proceedings against two of its own — an assistant sub-inspector and a constable.
Out of the 29 police vehicles found guilty of 'violations', 24 were motorbikes with helmet-less riders, four were cars whose occupants had not put on the seat belt, while another bike had a defective registration plate.
And out of the 19 private vehicles driven by policemen, 17 were motorbikes with helmet-less riders.
"On June 25, a user uploaded a photograph of an assistant sub-inspector riding a bike and the pillion-rider, a constable, not wearing a helmet," Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner of Traffic Police, told HT.
"The erring policemen were dispatched to traffic line — off active duty — and will be sent out of the department."
As many as 646 vehicle owners have been challaned based on Facebook photos, he said.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cops-at-receiving-end-of-Facebook-traffic-vigil/Article1-579252.aspx
Delhi Traffic Police debuted on Facebook in May promising to "respond urgently" to complaints posted on its fan page. Only three months later, eager Delhiites have uploaded close to 3,000 photographs of alleged traffic violations exhorting the police to take action. What's interesting and
ironical is the violators include occupants of 29 police vehicles and an additional 19 private vehicles driven by policemen.
Based on such "visual evidence", the department has launched disciplinary proceedings against two of its own — an assistant sub-inspector and a constable.
Out of the 29 police vehicles found guilty of 'violations', 24 were motorbikes with helmet-less riders, four were cars whose occupants had not put on the seat belt, while another bike had a defective registration plate.
And out of the 19 private vehicles driven by policemen, 17 were motorbikes with helmet-less riders.
"On June 25, a user uploaded a photograph of an assistant sub-inspector riding a bike and the pillion-rider, a constable, not wearing a helmet," Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner of Traffic Police, told HT.
"The erring policemen were dispatched to traffic line — off active duty — and will be sent out of the department."
As many as 646 vehicle owners have been challaned based on Facebook photos, he said.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cops-at-receiving-end-of-Facebook-traffic-vigil/Article1-579252.aspx
Special traffic management plan for Delhi during C'Wealth Games
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Delhi Traffic Police has drawn up a detailed Traffic management Plan for managing traffic during Commonwealth Games-2010 to be held in the national capital, the Government informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The Traffic Management Plan has been formulated by Delhi Traffic Police to provide safe, rapid, orderly and efficient mobility to all categories of road users during the Commonwealth Games, 2010, particularly to vehicles carrying players, dignitaries attending the Games and spectators coming to witness the events.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken mentioned the salient features of the measures are as follows:
a) To ensure seamless movement for all Games related traffic, including VIP movements.
b) To identify routes for participants, VIPs etc from the International Airport to the Games Village/hotels and from the Games Village to the various venues.
c) To operate a dedicated lane for accredited CWG vehicles.
d) To provide for alternate/diversionary routes to allow the normal city traffic with minimum dislocation.
e) Parking and traffic circulation arrangements at all venues, including media centre, airport, railway stations, ISBTs, hotels and places of tourist interest etc.
f) To promote integration of public transport, including Metro Rail etc.
g) To discourage use of private modes of transport.
The minister informed that the trial of such measures to test their adequacy in coordination with the stakeholders is an ongoing process.
Delhi Police is in readiness to put to test the Traffic management Plan for the Commonwealth Games-2010, he added.
Original news source http://sify.com/sports/special-traffic-management-plan-for-delhi-during-c-wealth-games-news-news-kh1uaccejae.html
The Delhi Traffic Police has drawn up a detailed Traffic management Plan for managing traffic during Commonwealth Games-2010 to be held in the national capital, the Government informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The Traffic Management Plan has been formulated by Delhi Traffic Police to provide safe, rapid, orderly and efficient mobility to all categories of road users during the Commonwealth Games, 2010, particularly to vehicles carrying players, dignitaries attending the Games and spectators coming to witness the events.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken mentioned the salient features of the measures are as follows:
a) To ensure seamless movement for all Games related traffic, including VIP movements.
b) To identify routes for participants, VIPs etc from the International Airport to the Games Village/hotels and from the Games Village to the various venues.
c) To operate a dedicated lane for accredited CWG vehicles.
d) To provide for alternate/diversionary routes to allow the normal city traffic with minimum dislocation.
e) Parking and traffic circulation arrangements at all venues, including media centre, airport, railway stations, ISBTs, hotels and places of tourist interest etc.
f) To promote integration of public transport, including Metro Rail etc.
g) To discourage use of private modes of transport.
The minister informed that the trial of such measures to test their adequacy in coordination with the stakeholders is an ongoing process.
Delhi Police is in readiness to put to test the Traffic management Plan for the Commonwealth Games-2010, he added.
Original news source http://sify.com/sports/special-traffic-management-plan-for-delhi-during-c-wealth-games-news-news-kh1uaccejae.html
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
This monsoon, traffic signals to keep Delhi on the go
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The monsoons are here and there's reason to worry. As repair and carpeting work on the roads for the Commonwealth Games are being carried out, roads are blocked or narrowed for the time being. And with the rains here, many stretches will get water-logged and traffic lights will stop working, resulting in chaos.
Of the 730-odd traffic signals in the city, an average of 50 signals stop working due to water logging during monsoons.
While some of them are rectified within four hours, others take as long as four days. But it seems, the Delhi Traffic Police, has some plans for smoother signal maintenance.
"We are in the process of finalising the contract for signal repair and maintenance. The new contract would come with better terms and conditions, as well as infrastructure. In the next one month, every 50 traffic signals will have a team dedicated to repairing defective signals," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg told Newsline.
Till the late 1980s, the Transport department used to maintain all city traffic lights before the police took over from the department and outsourced the job — first to Keltron, a PSU — before CMS entered the field. Sources said that the contract would go again to Keltron.
But defective signals are not the only problem in the monsoons.
"Trees fall and vehicles break down. Every time it rains, the roads get water logged, making movement of traffic extremely slow. For instance, a 15-minute traffic jam at Dhaula Kuan leads to traffic pile-up till Noida," said Garg.
With the ongoing construction work for the Commonwealth Games, which involves road repairs at all important junctions, the decreased road width makes traffic movement difficult.
"Whenever the road width is lesser, there is bound to be traffic congestion. The traffic police has then to keep in mind the interests of both — the public and the ongoing work on roads." And when a road becomes absolutely unsafe for vehicular traffic, it has to be closed. This undoubtedly aggravated the problem, he added.
"The effect of rain and slow traffic movement has its effect on Delhiites. If a carriageway is blocked, the first thing a commuter does is take the first U-turn and drive on the wrong side of the opposite carriageway. This blocks the traffic on the other side as well," said Garg.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/this-monsoon-traffic-signals-to-keep-delhi-on-the-go/652158/0
The monsoons are here and there's reason to worry. As repair and carpeting work on the roads for the Commonwealth Games are being carried out, roads are blocked or narrowed for the time being. And with the rains here, many stretches will get water-logged and traffic lights will stop working, resulting in chaos.
Of the 730-odd traffic signals in the city, an average of 50 signals stop working due to water logging during monsoons.
While some of them are rectified within four hours, others take as long as four days. But it seems, the Delhi Traffic Police, has some plans for smoother signal maintenance.
"We are in the process of finalising the contract for signal repair and maintenance. The new contract would come with better terms and conditions, as well as infrastructure. In the next one month, every 50 traffic signals will have a team dedicated to repairing defective signals," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg told Newsline.
Till the late 1980s, the Transport department used to maintain all city traffic lights before the police took over from the department and outsourced the job — first to Keltron, a PSU — before CMS entered the field. Sources said that the contract would go again to Keltron.
But defective signals are not the only problem in the monsoons.
"Trees fall and vehicles break down. Every time it rains, the roads get water logged, making movement of traffic extremely slow. For instance, a 15-minute traffic jam at Dhaula Kuan leads to traffic pile-up till Noida," said Garg.
With the ongoing construction work for the Commonwealth Games, which involves road repairs at all important junctions, the decreased road width makes traffic movement difficult.
"Whenever the road width is lesser, there is bound to be traffic congestion. The traffic police has then to keep in mind the interests of both — the public and the ongoing work on roads." And when a road becomes absolutely unsafe for vehicular traffic, it has to be closed. This undoubtedly aggravated the problem, he added.
"The effect of rain and slow traffic movement has its effect on Delhiites. If a carriageway is blocked, the first thing a commuter does is take the first U-turn and drive on the wrong side of the opposite carriageway. This blocks the traffic on the other side as well," said Garg.
Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/this-monsoon-traffic-signals-to-keep-delhi-on-the-go/652158/0
Monday, July 19, 2010
Delhi traffic police's SMS alerts a huge hit
Monday, July 19, 2010
Its Twitter and Facebook accounts have thousands of followers. Now, the Delhi traffic police's SMS alert service on traffic jams and diversion updates, launched three days ago, has already logged 21,240 subscribers with a majority describing it as a "world class service".
The traffic police launched the free SMS service July 16 to help people plan their travel in the city.
"We have received requests for traffic alerts from about 21,240 people and the number is increasing," said a traffic police officer, who manages the traffic helpline.
For subscribing to the service, one has to SMS "Join DTP" to 09219592195.
The users can also unsubscribe to the facility, for which one has to send a text message "Leave DTP" to 09219592195.
Those who have subscribed to the traffic alert service are praising the initiative.
"I have subscribed to this facility and have got three alerts since Monday morning... this is world class. Well done," said Amit Agarwal, who has also registered on the traffic police's Facebook profile.
"It is a good move. Good use of technology for the community," said B.N. Nagpal, another subscriber.
The traffic police had joined Twitter and Facebook last month to network better with the public and seek help in improving traffic in the city in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.
It has over 14,000 Facebook fans, who daily upload photographs of offenders with the date, time and place of offence.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-traffic-polices-SMS-alerts-a-huge-hit/articleshow/6187776.cms
Its Twitter and Facebook accounts have thousands of followers. Now, the Delhi traffic police's SMS alert service on traffic jams and diversion updates, launched three days ago, has already logged 21,240 subscribers with a majority describing it as a "world class service".
The traffic police launched the free SMS service July 16 to help people plan their travel in the city.
"We have received requests for traffic alerts from about 21,240 people and the number is increasing," said a traffic police officer, who manages the traffic helpline.
For subscribing to the service, one has to SMS "Join DTP" to 09219592195.
The users can also unsubscribe to the facility, for which one has to send a text message "Leave DTP" to 09219592195.
Those who have subscribed to the traffic alert service are praising the initiative.
"I have subscribed to this facility and have got three alerts since Monday morning... this is world class. Well done," said Amit Agarwal, who has also registered on the traffic police's Facebook profile.
"It is a good move. Good use of technology for the community," said B.N. Nagpal, another subscriber.
The traffic police had joined Twitter and Facebook last month to network better with the public and seek help in improving traffic in the city in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.
It has over 14,000 Facebook fans, who daily upload photographs of offenders with the date, time and place of offence.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-traffic-polices-SMS-alerts-a-huge-hit/articleshow/6187776.cms
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Now, get traffic update SMS to beat jams
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Getting traffic updates through FM radio is now a thing of the past. Traffic updates are now just an SMS away. And it will be round-the-clock. After gaining success through Facebook and Twitter, Delhi Traffic Police have now started a unique service on traffic update through text messages. A dedicated team from the unit has been involved for this job, said Ajay Chadha, special CP (traffic). The method is simple. One has to just send an SMS 'join dtp' to 09219592195 from one's mobile to register with the mobile helpline service. After that, as and when there is any traffic jam due to any reason — road accident, rainfall or road construction — he will be intimated through SMS.
"This is a free service by Delhi Traffic Police. This will also alert commuters in general and motorists in particular about any traffic diversions or advisory in the city," said Chadha.
"The SMS service is more instant than updates on Facebook or Twitter. Motorists while driving generally cannot access Facebook or Twitter to get traffic update," said a senior officer.
He added that initially 40,000 people are expected to register themselves.
Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Now-get-traffic-update-SMS-to-beat-jams/H1-Article1-573471.aspx
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