Following the reports of traffic congestion on roads despite the ongoing second phase of the odd-even scheme, the Delhi Government has constituted a six-member committee to study the impact of opening of schools and hot weather on the odd-even scheme.
The committee, headed by Transport Special Commissioner KK Dahiya, comprises DTC’s deputy CGM Anuj Sinha, DIMTS additional vice-president CK Goel, DCP (traffic) AK Singh, Executive Director (DMRC) Vikas Kumar, and additional director (Education) Sunita Kaushik.
Announcing the formation of the committee, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said the move is to ensure proper measures are in place when the Government comes out with the next edition of the odd-even scheme. The decision was taken at a review meeting on traffic situation, chaired by the Transport Department on Saturday. The committee has been asked to submit its report after the wrapping up of this edition of the odd-even scheme.
Rai said at the time of first phase of odd-even scheme in January, schools were closed and weather was pleasant, but during the second phase, opening of schools and hot weather are major factors contributing significantly to traffic jams.
“Due to closing of schools in January, around 2,500 school buses could not come on roads.
Besides, as there was winter session that time, people used to prefer for a walk for small distance, but people are now using bikes, cars and taxis for the same distance causing traffic congestion on roads.
“As schools are now open, parents are now doing more trips of their cars from home to schools, markets, office using one vehicle,” he said. The Transport Minister further said, “The six-member committee will study the side effect of opening of schools and hot weather on the second phase of odd-even scheme.
“Due to these two factors, how much effect -- be it 5 per cent, 10 per cent or 15 per cent -- is on the scheme so that the Government could ensure measures next time while implementing the third phase of the scheme.”
The allegations of lack of coordination between Traffic Police, enforcement wing of Transport department and civil defence volunteers at a local level were also discussed in the meeting, the Minister said.
On the complaints of improper functioning of traffic signals which were causing traffic snarls on the Capital’s roads, Rai said a special monitoring team, headed by Special Commissioner Sandeep Goel, was set up to monitor traffic signals across the national Capital.
Unlike the first phase, traffic congestion is being reported in various areas, including Nehru Palace, ITO, laxmi Nagar, Bhairav Sing-Marg, INA and some other parts of South Delhi during the second phase of odd-even scheme.
Rai said that as per preliminary report, opening of schools and construction and repair works are causing traffic jams during the ongoing scheme. In view of this, the Government has directed PWD, DMRC and DJB to carry out their construction and repair works at night to avoid traffic jam. Few days before the second phase of the road-rationing plan, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that if the scheme turns out to be successful, the Government may seriously consider implementing it for 15 days every month.
There is general feeling in the AAP Government that Opposition is trying to fail second phase of even-odd scheme due to increasing incidents of fire and large number of vehicles come on the road as compared to earlier even-odd programme that began on January 1.