HT visits killer flyover with expert to assess problem

To understand why the Palam-Dwarka flyover has become a death trap, Hindustan Times accompanied Professor PK Sarkar, a traffic and transport expert, to assess the problem, reports Atul Mathur.

To understand why the Palam-Dwarka flyover has become a death trap, Hindustan Times accompanied Professor PK Sarkar, a traffic and transport expert, to assess the problem.

HT Image

WHAT IS WRONG?

The 2.5-km flyover has three bends, including the one where motorcycle riders lost their balance and crashed into the verge. “This sharp bend is not conducive for driving at 50-60 kmph. The radius of the bend along the road should not be less than 60-70 metres. But here it is just about 35 metres,” said Sarkar.

Low side-railing, inadequate warning signage, poor lighting and absence of delineators along the median and along the side railing are other problems, Sarkar said.

SOLUTIONS?

While no alteration can be made to the ‘faulty’ design, Sarkar said preventive steps could be taken to ensure that two-wheeler riders did not speed and lose control while negotiating the sharp bend.

“Rumble strips put up by DDA cannot be a permanent solution. They bring down the speed of the vehicle to around 5 kmph and cause traffic pile up, and even increase the chances of being hit by vehicles following you,” Sarkar pointed out.

Although there are some arrows painted on the sidewall and a couple of signs proclaim it an accident-prone spot, Sarkar said they were not enough.