Delhi to get 205 dedicated lanes for emergencies

The Delhi government is all set to notify dedicated stretches in the city that will be reserved for emergency vehicles in case of a disaster. The stretches will be similar to the lanes that were reserved during the Commonwealth Games 2010 for athletes and officials.

The Delhi government is all set to notify dedicated stretches in the city that will be reserved for emergency vehicles in case of a disaster. The stretches will be similar to the lanes that were reserved during the Commonwealth Games 2010 for athletes and officials.

The decision has been taken to ensure ambulances and fire tenders do not get caught in traffic jams during any emergency or a disaster. To ensure people leave the disaster management lanes empty, a siren will be used to inform commuters. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will also carry out extensive awareness campaigns to ensure people are educated about these lanes.

The scheme which is a joint effort of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, transport department and the Delhi traffic police will come into force soon. According to Delhi government officials, there are a total of 205 lanes that will be reserved for emergency situations across the city.

Confirming the move, Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai told HT: “We are in the process of issuing a notification and it will come into force soon.”

To begin with the agencies will ensure people are made aware of the lanes and the benefit of reserving them for emergency vehicles during such situations.

However, to ensure people follow this rule a fine will be imposed on vehicles if they enter the reserved lanes during any emergency situation, under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. Transport department likely to notify these lanes.

These lanes will be painted blue with disaster lanes written on them so that they are easily identifiable.

According to senior Delhi government officials, roads that have been identified are near to fire stations, police stations, deputy commissioners office, SDM’s office and hospitals. It is not uncommon to see an emergency vehicle getting caught in a traffic snarl on Delhi’s roads.

“Generally people don’t give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles. It is not only the PCRs and ambulances that need space. Disaster can come in any form and sometimes when there is a building collapse, even equipment such as JCBs have to be travel from once place to another. Due to this precious time is also lost when ferrying the injured from one place to another,” a senior Delhi government official said.