New Delhi: Buses halting on an already crowded road could be adding precious minutes to a ride to Old Delhi. The approaching festive and wedding seasons have brought shoppers and goods carriers to the wholesale markets, and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (SPM) Marg is feeling the traffic squeeze.
Around 1,550 Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses ply the Old Delhi Railway Station (ODRS) route, and halting at designated points can take around 10 minutes per bus to complete entry, according to officials. In the last five days, police have issued 1,917 challans for improper parking and 171 for wrong-side driving. They also towed 206 vehicles, wheel-clamped 662 vehicles, removed 127 rehris and patris, and seized 15 vehicles and three other articles.
K Ramesh, DCP (traffic), Central Range, said a study was needed to identify the key causes of congestion and work out solutions ahead of the festive season. “Bus halts are a major concern, as the road is not wide enough to accommodate them,” he said. Delhi Traffic Police has studied the stretch and is exploring ways to tackle congestion not just during the festive rush but throughout the year. Buses are among the key concerns identified by traffic police. Traffic police are coordinating with the MCD deputy commissioner to explore temporary parking space for buses at National Club parking. In the wake of these identified problems, traffic police have stepped up enforcement against parking violations, wrong-side driving and roadside obstructions. Merchants, shopkeepers and market associations are being sensitised against storing goods on the roads. Motorcycle and crane patrols, wheel clamping and the removal of encroachments are also being done.
Local police and traffic officials inspected the stretch on Tuesday.