Roads clogged despite odd-even: Delhi Govt sets up panel to find out why

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“During the last odd-even phase, all schools were closed, therefore there was less traffic. Also, people chose to walk short distances or take buses or autos. But this time, more people are taking AC cabs, which is increasing the volume of four-wheeler-induced congestion on the roads. During the last odd-even period, roads were congestion-free and traffic flowed smoothly, unlike this time,” he said.

Rai said the decision was taken in a coordination meeting that was attended by officials of the transport department and traffic police, as well as those in charge of civil defence volunteers. The panel will analyse data from Monday and submit its report a week after round two of odd-even gets over.

The committee will be headed by Special Commissioner (Transport) K K Dahiya and its members include DTC Deputy Chief General Manager Anuj Sinha, DIMTS Additional Vice-president C K Goel, Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic) A K Singh, Executive Director, DMRC, Vikas Kumar and Education Additional Director Sunita Kaushik.

“In the first phase, as schools were shut, nearly 2,500 school buses and 4,000 private contract carriages engaged with schools did not ply. But this time they are on the roads, which is a huge addition to traffic in the mornings and afternoons. Also, the heat is forcing people to use cars for even short trips,” said Rai.

The government has also set up a special monitoring team, headed by Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sandeep Goel, to monitor traffic signals after complaints of mismanagement at crucial junctions in the city.