New traffic system will miss CommonWealth Games

It was supposed to help Delhi lessen its perennial problem of traffic congestion but the Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) the Delhi traffic police had promised before the Commonwealth Games this October is nowhere in sight.

The Rs 200-crore project of having the intelligent traffic system in 275 places in the city by May this year is more than one-and-half-years away — the police have not even floated tenders for the same.

“We can’t even start the installation process before the Commonwealth Games. We are opening tenders on May 31. The process will take a few months and I hope we can at least start the installation process after the Games,” said Ajay Chadha, special commissioner of police (traffic), told Hindustan Times.

“We will need at least one and half years after the installation and by December 2011, the ITS should be operational in 275 identified signals.”

Under the proposed ITS map, 275 traffic signals in New Delhi, Mathura Road, Delhi-Gurgaon highway (NH 8), Delhi-Noida highway would be covered and CCTV cameras installed at every point to monitor traffic movement and also identify traffic violators.

In order to tackle problems of congestion, accidents, inefficient logistics amongst other problems, the Delhi police had planned to develop a state-of-the-art traffic and communication network in the NCR by putting in place the ITS.

The system would also incorporate various existing sub-systems like Area traffic Control System, Traffic Monitoring System, Traffic Signals, Variable Message Signs, Speed Camera Systems, among others.

According to a senior police officer, who did not wish to be named, as he isn’t authorised to speak to media, said: “The plan was made at least two years ago keeping in view the Commonwealth Games in 2010. Accordingly, a route map was designed covering 55 major roads, measuring 217.96 km and about 200 intersections to be covered under the system, which could provide better solutions for traffic management.”

P.K. Sarkar, professor, School of Planning and Architecture, Department of Transport Planning, said at least partial installation of the ITS would have helped minimise traffic congestion during the Games.

“I was quite happy about the innovative plan of the Delhi police when I heard about it two years ago. I do not know why the department could not start the process,” he added.