3 signals switched off, 4 U-turns created: How Delhi Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg
The development comes after a survey was conducted by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and Traffic Police to look into how to ease traffic movement on the stretch
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Signals at Vijay Chowk, Preet Vihar and Nirman Vihar have been shut down (Express/Abhinav Saha)To decongest Vikas Marg and allow free flow of traffic from ITO to Karkari Mor, the Delhi Traffic Police, along with the Public Works Department (PWD), has discontinued three of the five red lights on the stretch. Also, four back-to-back U-turns have been created to ease congestion.
Rajeev Kumar Rawal, DCP East (Traffic), said, “The stretch, which is around 2 km long, experiences heavy traffic throughout the day. The stretch near Laxmi Nagar faces heavy traffic owing to the presence of a market and residential areas.”
The development comes after a survey was conducted by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and Traffic Police to look into how to ease traffic movement on the stretch, he added.
“There were five red lights on Vikas Marg — Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar, Nirman Vihar, Vijay Chowk and Karkari Mor — which passes along the Metro Blue Line. Now, to decongest this stretch, red lights at Vijay Chowk, Preet Vihar and Nirman Vihar have been shut down. Instead, four new U-turns have been created,” said Rawal.
The entire exercise was undertaken in three phases over three months, he added.
Apart from Traffic Police, PWD and CRRI, NGO Guru Hanuman Society of Bharat — which has been working on making several stretches in Delhi signal-free — also worked on the project.
“U-turns have been helping Delhi-NCR residents enjoy signal-free traffic movement. Since 2016, more than 50 crossings and T-points have done away with traffic signals, becoming congestion-free. These include Majnu Ka Tila, Rohini District Prisons, Deepali Chowk and Rithala, among others,” said Atul Ranjeet Kumar, Secretary General, National, of the NGO.
Kumar added that traffic congestion affected Vikas Marg, as there was no possibility of building a flyover or an underpass due to the presence of the Metro Line in the area. “Implementation of the ‘U-Turns Scheme’ has given immediate relief not only to commuters but also those working and shopping in the market area here,” Kumar said, adding that this scheme needs nominal investment but offers maximum results.
On Tuesday, The Indian Express visited the stretch and found traffic indeed flowing smoothly. The only problem: Parking on the roadside and movement of e-rickshaws, which are not allowed to ferry passengers in the area.
A traffic policeman said while they impound and remove e-rickshaws from the area, last-mile connectivity is an issue. “It’s a crowded market and residential area and for last-mile connectivity, people use rickshaws and autorickshaws.”
Neeraj Kumar, who runs a business related to firefighting equipment, said, “I went from Preet Vihar Chowk to ITO today and felt like I was on NH 24. There are a few hiccups, which I think will go away in the coming days.”
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