Delhi: Top cop promises to end traffic blues

Hindustan Times’ month-long mission to unclog Delhi’s arteries and veins could soon see some results on the ground. Special commissioner of police (traffic) Muktesh Chander said he would visit each problem area highlighted in HT’s ‘Unclog Delhi’ series.

Hindustan Times’ month-long mission to unclog Delhi’s arteries and veins could soon see some results on the ground.

Special commissioner of police (traffic) Muktesh Chander said on Wednesday he would visit each problem area highlighted in HT’s ‘Unclog Delhi’ series. “In fact, I have asked the deputy commissioners of all five traffic districts to visit each problem area and report to me with suggestions on improvements that can be made,” he told HT.

‘Unclog Delhi’ focussed on some of the city’s most important — and perpetually jammed — arterial and link roads that carry a huge load of traffic every day. It also had an expert panel come up with decongestion-cum-modification suggestions, and generated an overwhelming response from our readers.

On most stretches, it is the sheer number of vehicles that cause jams. But HT also highlighted other reasons — engineering and design issues, encroachment, illegal parking, absence of traffic police and enforcement of traffic rules — that result in chaos.

“After I receive reports from the deputy commissioners, I will visit each spot personally and assess the viability of these suggestions.

Changes will be made where required to improve traffic flow and engineering faults will also be brought to the notice of civic agencies,” Chander added.