Students, crowd and traffic jams

Since June 1 the approximately half kilometre-long Chhatra Marg, which connects Ring Road to Delhi University, is caught in a maze of cars, two-wheelers and rickshaws competing for space every day, reports Jatin Anand.

Since June 1 the approximately half kilometre-long Chhatra Marg, which connects Ring Road to Delhi University, is caught in a maze of cars, two-wheelers and rickshaws competing for space every day.

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“The rush usually begins around 8.30 am and hits its peak by 1 pm. People park their cars anywhere they find space,” said Rajkumar, a tea vendor outside the Law Faculty.

RK Pandey, DCP (Traffic), North Delhi, said the congestion was not a traffic problem but a mixture of negligence by the local police and the DU Proctor.

“Private universities and mobile service providers who have set up their promotional stalls all over the pavements on Chhatra Marg are to be blamed. There is no space to walk,” he said.

“We do not fine wrongly parked vehicles in and around DU because for many, the trip to the Arts Faculty is their first. We don’t want to spoil it for them,” he added.

Winding queues at the Vishwavidyalaya Metro station is another problem.

“Travelling to or from DU by the Metro around noon is a nightmare. It doesn’t matter whether you’re coming or going — there’s a long queue for both,” said Ankit Garg, a DU aspirant.

While 12,000 passengers travelled to Vishwavidyalaya Metro station in May, the DMRC has recorded an increase of 6,700 passengers in June.