The national Capital may soon follow the London model of levying congestion charges in a bid to unclog the city roads. The move was suggested at a review meeting held by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal where he asked the Traffic Police to carry out a study to explore the feasibility of introducing the congestion charge for driving on designated roads.
Baijal held a meeting with the Traffic Police, Public Works Department (PWD) and experts from the Central Road and Research Institute (CRRI). The meeting also explored the possibility of introducing one-way traffic on few roads.
"Delhi Traffic Police will get a study conducted on Delhi roads where congestion charge can be levied or one-way traffic system can be implemented," said a senior traffic police officer.
A number of key roads remain congested despite alternative routes being available in the Capital.
"Congestion charge on such roads will ease traffic and prompt people to use alternative routes, the officer said. An electronic system, like the ones in London and Singapore, will be launched for smooth implementation of the charge if it is found feasible," the officer added.
Besides, the LG also reviewed measures for decongestion of traffic on Capital's lifeline - Ring Road - between north Delhi's Salimgarh bypass and Majnu Ka Tila. The stretch witnesses hour-long jams on a daily basis becoming a hassle for commuters. The LG also asked the government and the police to update commuters about the real-time traffic situation through radio, apps and social media.
The stretch of the Ring Road from Shanti Van to Chandgi Ram Akhara measuring 4.7 km has a heavy volume of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The stretch has a number of bottlenecks leading to traffic snarls near Old Hanuman Temple, Yamuna Bazar, ISBT Kashmere Gate and opposite the Monastery Market.
Some of the short-term measures suggested by the experts, include installation of lane-based traffic signal at Y-intersection behind Red Fort; establishing a traffic signal on the merging point of Kela Ghat Road, which will have the police manually man the traffic merging from Shahdara flyover loop. Besides, entry/exit of pedestrians would be made directly from the ISBT by extending foot-over-bridge (FOB) and removal of garbage containers placed on the Ring Road near Hanuman Temple.
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