In what could be termed as a major relief to the national Capital from vehicular pollution, there has been 33 per cent reduction in the number of trucks entering Delhi after commissioning of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), according to a status report of Traffic Management on Eastern Peripheral Highway prepared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Following directives from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the CPCB carried out the preliminary assessment of diversion and management of traffic on the 135-km EPE between June 11 and June 13. The CPCB report, a copy of which is with The Pioneer, says two teams were deputed to assess the traffic diversion at two entry points of the EPE during day and night.
“The report was prepared after observing traffic during day and night. The teams counted the number of vehicles at entry and exits at Palwal. We observed the number of vehicles on the expressway is higher during night as compared to day,” said CPCB member secretary A Sudhakar. The report has been sent to the PMO, he added.
The report also pointed out various shortcomings, including poor traffic management. There is no proper signage at interchanges/exits to guide the traffic towards respective carriageways connected to the EPE thus confusing drivers at interchanges leading to high traffic at night, the report said. The CPCB has also observed that the signage is not clearly visible during the night due to lack of proper lighting. There is no effective police presence in respective States (at interchanges) to divert the traffic towards the EPE, it said.
According to Delhi Traffic Police officials, there are nine major and 22 small entry points in the national Capital. Officials say once the Western Peripheral Expressway between Kundi to Manesar opens to the public, the problem of pollution caused by vehicles will be drastically reduced. It will also save manpower.