Delhi congestion: Experts, AAP govt not on same page on road designing

Delhi traffic: According to PWD officials, there is need to create additional infrastructure to accommodate more vehicles, but the government wants to focus on redesigning of existing roads.

As an increasing number of vehicles choke Delhi’s roads, the big question is how to decongest its busy stretches. While the government moved a plan to redesign roads one-and-a-half years ago, experts said the idea is difficult to implement and of little use.

Experts say the redesigning plan must be made road specific as the requirement of each stretch is different (Sonu Mehta/industan Times)

To implement Delhi government’s ambitious scheme of redesigning of 10 roads, Public Works Department (PWD) visited officials the BRT stretch and Ring Road near Andrews Ganj. The visit revealed there was no possibility of reducing space for vehicles and allocating it to pedestrians and cyclists.

Read: Capital chaos: Delhi’s traffic has slowed down and doubled time spent on roads

Experts said, the redesigning plan must be made road specific as the requirement of each stretch is different. “Government wanted to provide space for pedestrians and cyclists in the existing road but the situation is different at different roads. In Andrews Ganj, the road cannot be narrowed further to give space to non-motorised vehicles. Consultants have suggested different plans for different roads,” said a PWD official.

Some even called the idea impossible.

“The government should have a road engineering department so that at least in coming projects, they have adequate space for every vehicle,” said Rohit Baluja, Institute of Road Traffic Education.

According to PWD officials, there is need to create additional infrastructure to accommodate more vehicles, but the government wants to focus on redesigning of existing roads. Sources said that the PWD prepared a plan of east-west and north-south corridor in the city, but government is yet to take a call.

Read: No escaping Delhi traffic jams: Why city is spending double the time on roads

“It is surprising why the government is not focusing on maintaining city roads,” said Dr S Velmurugan, principal scientist, CRRI. However, government officials say facilities for pedestrians need to be increased to encourage.

“Pedestrian movement will be made smooth by removing obstacles. There will be provision of FOBs with glass lifts and staircases, keeping in mind the comfort of pedestrians,” said an official.