New road might not solve traffic problems at Delhi’s Anand Vihar ISBT

According to railway authorities, the road might serve to exacerbate traffic woes by increasing congestion instead of reducing it.

Identified as Delhi’s worst pollution hotspot last year, the Anand Vihar Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) continues to be so. Meanwhile, an action plan to improve conditions at the terminal, where three modes of transport— bus, railway and Metro — meet, has remained in limbo for over a year.

The delay in the completion of the road project was flagged by the EPCA as one of the major issues causing traffic problems in the Anand Vihar area. (Sonu Mehta/ HT File)

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal took stock of the situation at the ISBT on Monday during a meeting with the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA). He directed the Northern Railways to expedite work on opening a new road completely to the public, as well as completing a second approach road to reduce congestion.

Railway officials said that a new road to serve as a separate entry to the ISBT was thrown open to traffic on Sunday. Street lighting and installation of road signage is yet to be completed on the second approach road — a four-lane stretch built by the Northern Railway authorities.

The delay in the completion of the work was flagged by the EPCA as one of the major issues causing traffic problems around Anand Vihar.

According to officials, pedestrians use the same stretch, increasing congestion further.

“With the opening of the second approach road, there will be two entries connecting the bus terminal and the railway station each, reducing congestion,” EPCA chairman Bhure Lal said.

The lack of a demarcated parking space, providing connectivity to commuters through an integrated network, as well as proper public conveniences at the railway station are issues that still need to be addressed to improve the condition of the over-crowded terminal, he added.