New Delhi: The damage to the Old Rao Tula Ram (RTR) flyover has caused a traffic spillover on NH-48 just when people have started their festive season shopping. Commuters are livid after being stuck in unending jams.
Traffic advisories then urged motorists to avoid the stretch, so many of them began taking NH-48, adding to the pressure on the highway and both sides of Dhaula Kuan,” a traffic source said. Another reported being stuck for 30 minutes while travelling from Terminal 1 towards Dhaula Kuan and Vasant Vihar. The affected stretch of NH-48, which is the Delhi-Mumbai section, used to be called NH-8, a name by which many still identify this road. Another commuter posted: “NH-8 now. “Despite knowing this, NH-8 was allowed to get completely choked. The commuter also pointed to the presence of trucks and goods carriers, saying that at least 25 were visible from his car and that restricting their daytime movement could have helped. Commuters can contact the traffic helpline on 1095 for assistance.
Because of the damage, the carriageway from IGI Airport and Gurgaon towards Vasant Vihar was shut. The woes of commuters, hopefully, won’t last for too long. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in Delhi Stay updated with the latest Delhi news.
“From Mahipalpur to Dhaula Kuan, traffic jam everywhere… for the past 2-3 days, what is the reason?” one user asked. One commuter said an earlier update had suggested the flyover would reopen sooner, while the latest advisory indicated another three to four days of work. “You must tell the right deadline from the first day itself,” the commuter wrote.
The repairs by PWD are done and the flyover should be in use by Monday after an inspection. The damage has put traffic pressure on the Mahipalpur-Dhaula Kuan stretch. The long jams, now on for two days, have also affected Vasant Vihar and roads in Delhi Cantonment. “Initially, commuters took the service road under it, but the congestion that started here had its tail extending to nearly the Gurgaon border. Frustrated commuters have started venting on social media. Can you believe it? They have ruined a whole city with poor traffic management. The same user had raised concerns Thursday over the handling of the disruption, saying that an advisory had been issued about the problem at the flyover. I saw ambulances stuck in traffic, unable to move,” the user wrote, adding that preventive measures should have been taken as festive traffic is building up. Questions were also raised on the repair timeline. PWD is repairing the flyover damage. Delhi Traffic Police has advised motorists to avoid the affected stretch, use alternative routes, and factor in extra travel time. Download the TOI App.
On Friday, the user questioned why highways were being allowed to get choked.