Despite the sad state of affairs on the Delhi roads, the good news is that due to a sustained effort by the media as well the courts, the policy-makers have taken notice of the problem, and untangling the traffic mess has become a major priority.
Not only the Government is planning to redesign many roads in the city and improve public transport system, the courts have also taken notice of the problem which has far-reaching effects on the environment as well, and by extension on citizen's health.
Not only that, the Delhi Traffic Police is also looking at automation of the whole traffic management system to ensure smooth flow of traffic. In recent months, traffic police has also started making use of the helicopters to regulate traffic on extremely busy days like Diwali, Chhath Pooja etc, and noting the effectiveness of the same, they are planning to make use of the choppers more often in the future.
Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dr Muktesh Chander said, "We have already identified 14-15 traffic congestion points where the problem of congestion is most severe. We have already taken some short term measures to improve the situation and have suggested some long-term measures to concerned agencies…The idea is to identify the most congested spots, use all the resources to solve the problem in those spots and then continue the exercise by finding the other such stretches."
To crackdown on violation of traffic rules, like unlawful parking or jumping traffic lights etc, that also lead to congestion, the Delhi Traffic Police is planning to launch a reward scheme under which, common citizens can win rewards by reporting traffic violations. "Currently, beta testing of the mobile application is being conducted and the scheme is expected to be launched soon," said Chander.
"Apart from that, we are also looking at automation of the traffic regulation system for which tenders are being issued," he added.
Meanwhile, the Government organised Delhi's second "Car-Free Day" on a stretch in Dwarka on Sunday to encourage people to use cycles and public transport for their daily commute. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also announced that Car Free Day will be organised in the whole of Delhi on January 22 when he will also cycle to his work.
"We will organise it in entire Delhi on January 22 and I am very sure that we will succeed... I will also cycle to my office on January 22," Kejriwal said.
Apart from that the Delhi Government is also planning to bring 2,000 new buses on the roads before the World Car Free Day in September next year. "Tender for 1,000 of them under the cluster scheme has already been issued. Another tender for the same number of buses for the Delhi Transport Corporation will also be issued soon. We are building five new depots for the 1,000 buses under the cluster scheme which will take 4-5 months. The new buses will start coming in from March next year," Transport Gopal Rai had earlier said.
Rai also said ten roads have been identified which will be redesigned over the next year which will have separate lanes for buses, bicycles and pedestrians.