Gridlock at Iffco Chowk drives commuters crazy

With traffic merging from five sides, random halting of buses and autos and heavy volume of vehicles, Iffco Chowk is one of the most congested crossings on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. Commuters are often stuck in the gridlock and fume over the lack of traffic management by police personnel.

With traffic merging from five sides, random halting of buses and autos and heavy volume of vehicles, Iffco Chowk is one of the most congested crossings on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. Commuters are often stuck in the gridlock and fume over the lack of traffic management by police personnel.

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The main reason for the chaos is the bus and auto drivers who do not halt at the designated stops and force commuters to get down in the middle of the road. Though the service lane has eased chaos, the problem is far from over.

The state-run buses do not pick and drop passengers from the designated stop, rue commuters. This leads to chaos at the busy intersection, said a senior traffic police official.

Police officials have written to the general manager of Haryana Roadways drawing his attention to the problem but no solution has been found yet.

"We have asked the Haryana Roadways to depute its representative at the site but they do not take any action," said a policeman.

Yashender Singh, general manger of the Haryana Roadways, said, "I have repeatedly asked drivers not to halt buses in the middle of the road. If this is still happening, I will take strict action against the errant driver and conductor."

Dr B Kalra, senior heart specialist and resident of DLF City Phase-2, said, "Every morning I spend half an hour at the Iffco Chowk crossing, sometimes even more. In case of an emergency, I have to take the Golf Course extension road."

Hawkers and autos encroach upon slip roads leaving no space for vehicles. Customers of a nearby liquor vend also park their vehicles in the middle of the road, adding to the woes.

Pedestrians are also forced to risk their lives while crossing the fast stretch. Most accident victims are pedestrians. Lack of infrastructure such as footover bridges, subways and flyover will help save lives, apart from easing chaos.

An expert panel has suggested construction of an underpass and slip roads at Iffco Chowk to streamline traffic.