Delhi Traffic Police has issued a stern letter to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), demanding an immediate halt to the unannounced blocking of the crucial Mehrauli-Badarpur (MB) Road. The road is currently the site of construction for the upcoming Golden Line of the Delhi Metro.
Traffic Police Cites Supreme Court and Pollution Norms
In a communication dated November 24, the Traffic Police, through Additional Commissioner of Police Dinesh Kumar Gupta, explicitly called for adherence to the directives of the Supreme Court and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The letter emphasized compliance with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which mandates strict control of construction dust—a major source of particulate pollution in the capital.
The police pointed out that DMRC officials and its contractor, YFC Projects, have repeatedly closed sections of the road without prior permission. "Such uncoordinated road blockages are causing severe traffic hazards and disrupting smooth movement of traffic," the letter stated.
Major Snarls and Public Distress Reported
The situation came to a head on November 22, when both carriageways of MB Road were reportedly blocked around 10 pm for nearly an hour without any prior intimation. This led to massive gridlock, severely affecting traffic flow on connecting arteries like Ravidas Marg and Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg.
The impact was significant given the road's importance. The 22-km MB Road is a vital link connecting South and South-East Delhi to Gurgaon and Faridabad, serving key areas like Saket, Chhattarpur, and Kalkaji. It is estimated that over 2 lakh four-wheelers and 50,000 two-wheelers use this corridor during daily peak hours.
Traffic Police sources revealed that the control room received numerous distress calls, including one from a pregnant woman in pain who was stuck in the congestion. Complaints also flooded social media platforms.
DMRC's Response and Police Directives
When contacted by media, a DMRC spokesperson attributed the November 22 incident to a crane breaking down under loaded conditions. A standby crane was deployed to clear the faulty one, which temporarily impacted traffic. The spokesperson assured that immediate action was taken to restore space for vehicles and that staff have been advised to coordinate closely with traffic authorities in the future.
However, police sources indicated that they had not received an official response to their letter until Tuesday evening. In its communication, the Traffic Police laid down clear conditions for future work:
- No portion of the road shall be blocked or obstructed without proper approval.
- DMRC must submit an alternate Traffic Management Plan and obtain clearance before starting any work that affects traffic.
- Tin sheds and barricades must be realigned to maximize carriageway space for vehicles.
This clash highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing critical infrastructure development with the daily commute of millions and the imperative to control air pollution in the National Capital Region.
