Traffic cops finalize Commonwealth Game plan

The ongoing fiasco on the Delhi-Faridabad routes, where lakhs of Delhiites got stuck in endless traffic jams after a Surajkund Road, a vital link between the two towns, was unceremoniously shut off as part of security arrangements for Commonwealth shooting event has left people wondering what's in store for them when the actual Games happen in the city in October this year. With multiple events taking place in several parts of the city for 11 days, and traffic volumes remaining the same, the traffic police say they have a "challenging" job at their hands.

The solution to the mess, Intelligent Traffic Signals (ITS), is also not going to take off by October as the tender process has been delayed. The cops say they have drawn up a comprehensive plan to ensure that the Commonwealth Games pass off well. "What is seen as Surajkund Road was a venue-specific problem. The access road to the shooting range is very narrow and the alternative routes are choked due to construction. The traffic plans for the Commonwealth Games have been finalized and several measures are being undertaken to ensure there is no inconvenience," said a senior traffic police official. Times City finds out how.

Improved road capacity and infrastructure upgradation

All the ongoing construction activity in the capital is going to end by September. Of this, a large number of projects will be completed in the next four months including flyovers, streetscaping of roads, Metro lines, work on stadiums and approach roads. With this, a lot of additional road space will be available for flow of traffic and the new projects will ease congestion at several points as the flyovers, underpasses, Metro lines, footpaths, foot overbridges will be available for use.

Scientific Transport Plan

The traffic police are mapping out the movement of each and every guest, including athletes and their kin, delegates, officials and media from the time they arrive at the Delhi airport till their departure. Movement of people has been planned to the minutest detail including maps on routes taken with exact timings of movement and modes of commute. Officials say the plans have been drafted for all stadiums, training venues, Games village, airport and even hotels. Everything will be rehearsed once the construction of the venues is complete.

Dedicated Games Lanes

While the Games are on, no road will be completely blocked off for general traffic. The situation on Surajkund Road is an exception as the stretch is very narrow and there isn't scope for a Games lane and a normal traffic lane. In October, on about 220 km of roads which will be used by those headed for different events, one lane of road space will be reserved exclusively for Games traffic. But officials said the curbs will be enforced only at the time when some movement is planned on these routes. At all times, general traffic will be permitted.

Traffic-calming measures

From October 3 to 14, when the games are on, Delhi government is planning to shut schools and colleges and are also writing to corporate houses to allow flexible work timimgs for employees to contain vehicular congestion on the roads. Government offices will also reportedly be instructed to restrict work hours in accordance to the events in the city. The idea is to have less congestion on the roads, especially those around Games venues, during peak office hours.

Public transport

With more buses being acquired and the Delhi Metro network being expanded to thrice its present capacity in the next few months, the government and traffic police is going to promote use of public transport in a big way for the Games. Wherever possible, spectators to events will be given incentive to use Delhi Metro or buses. Park and ride facilities are being created around all venues to restrict movement of vehicles too close to the venues.

Strict enforcement of traffic rules

The traffic police are going to step up prosecution and enforce traffic rules stringently during the Commonwealth Games. There will be a zero tolerance for offences like unauthorized parking, red light jumping, Games lane and stop line violation. The entire force of the traffic police along with traffic patrol motorcycles and PCR vans will be deployed on arterial roads at all times to check violators.

Additional manpower & modernization

The traffic police strength is expected to touch an all-time high before the Commonwealth Games as a major share of the total recruits in Delhi Police is coming to the traffic wing. The staff has been recruited and presently undergoing training. In addition, devices like cameras to monitor traffic movement, more cranes and clamps, Variable Message Sign (VMS) boards, GPS etc are being acquired for more effective enforcement.