Traffic police records sharp drop in congestion-related calls in Central Range

The Delhi Traffic Police has recorded a sharp drop in congestion-related calls in the Central Range during the first quarter of 2026, aided by focused enforcement and improved on-ground management, officials said on Saturday.

According to official data, congestion calls fell from 1,378 in January-March 2025 to 1,007 in the corresponding period this year, marking a reduction of around 27 per cent and offering relief to commuters across key stretches.

Officials said major improvements were seen in several traffic circles, with Kotwali and Daryaganj reporting a 49 per cent decline, while Civil Lines recorded the highest drop of 50 per cent, particularly around Tis Hazari and Rajpur Road.  Other areas such as Paharganj, Timarpur and Karol Bagh also registered an average decrease of about 25 per cent.

However, Kamla Market and Sadar Bazar witnessed a slight increase in congestion calls due to heavy market activity, commercial vehicle movement, metro construction and seasonal factors, they said, adding that targeted measures are being taken to address the issue.

The reduction has been attributed to optimised deployment of personnel, strict action against improper parking and encroachments, better signal management, and special drives against violations such as wrong-side driving and lane indiscipline.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Central Range, Nishant Gupta, said continuous monitoring and interventions, including installation of iron grills on central verges and strategic diversions, have significantly improved traffic flow.

The traffic police said they will continue to rely on data-driven strategies and proactive enforcement to ensure smoother and safer movement for daily commuters.

In another key step, the department will upgrade existing bus stops on SP Marg into dedicated bus bays, enabling buses to halt without obstructing the main carriageway, ensuring smoother traffic movement along the busy corridor. The intervention is likely to curb erratic driving behaviour, reduce gridlocks, and enhance overall road safety,” the senior police officer of the Traffic Police said.