Unclogging Delhi: Kejriwal wants a solution to clear major traffic bottlenecks

In an order, Kejriwal said there was a need to have a systematic and planned effort to ease the burden on the commuter.

Following complaints of traffic congestion in different parts of Delhi, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed the chief secretary to ask the transport department to prepare a list of all major traffic ‘bottlenecks’.

Heavy traffic jams are a regular occurrence in Delhi. (Mohd Zakir/HT PHOTO)

Sources said the chief minister directed chief secretary MM Kutty to submit the list by August 15, which will be used to find a solution to all bottlenecks as each of them would have specific problems.

In an order, Kejriwal said there was a need to have a systematic and planned effort to ease the burden on the commuter.

“One of the reasons for traffic congestion in several efforts of Delhi is bottlenecks on roads. These bottlenecks could be due to encroachments, poor traffic management, bad road design and enforcement among other reasons. These bottlenecks lead to traffic snarls, particularly during peak hours,” the order said.

“Transport secretary should make a list of all these bottlenecks across the city. Feedback from Delhi Police and public should also be taken to prepare the list,” it added.

Officials said the government was of the view that, in the past, the approach to solve the traffic congestion had been haphazard and random and the state of affairs cannot be allowed to remain as it as the moment.

“Delhi suffers from traffic congestion and jams year-long. Reaching the office, college or home on time has become a daily challenge…once the list (of bottlenecks) is ready we would need to find solution to each bottleneck. Each bottleneck would have a separate solution. I hope transport department will prepare this list of bottlenecks by August 15, 1947,” the order said.