Choppers to manage traffic congestion in Delhi soon

Delhi Traffic Police may use helicopters in the future to monitor traffic and even provide assistance in medical emergencies

Delhi Traffic Police may use helicopters in the future to monitor traffic and even provide assistance in medical emergencies, the Centre told the Delhi High Court on Thursday.

In a report submitted to the court on reducing traffic congestion -- a major source of air pollution -- the Centre said the traffic police were working on such a plan.

“During the meeting of joint secretary (UT) held on April 22, 2016, Delhi Police informed that…a tentative requirement for use of helicopters for monitoring traffic situation in Delhi on annual basis is being worked out,” the report said.

It said the traffic police were in deliberation with the state-owned Pawan Han for the project.

The Delhi traffic police was given permission to hire helicopters from Pawan Hans in 2015 to monitor the traffic situation during major diversions for festivals.

A bench of Justice BD Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, which was hearing a public interest litigation on air pollution, pointed out that funds given to traffic police four years ago had remained unused.

The traffic police said it had utilised only R 100.67 crore of the R275.08 crore given to it under the 12th plan in 2012 to modernise the traffic and communication network.

The bench told the traffic police to come up with a plan and a timeline to utilise the remaining funds by the next date of hearing on May 19.

The HC expressed concern over the growth in fuel loss due to idling traffic at intersections and jams. It asked the authorities to implement the integrated traffic management system to reduce congestion.

The bench directed the government to submit a report indicating the total forest and ridge area in the capital.