In a major push to decongest the capital's roads, Delhi authorities have launched a coordinated action plan targeting 62 specific traffic hotspots. The initiative, a joint effort by the Delhi Traffic Police (DTP), Public Works Department (PWD), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), and the transport department, aims to move beyond temporary fixes with a mix of immediate enforcement and long-term infrastructure solutions.
Identifying the Problem Zones
The hotspots are precise locations where traffic congestion predictably builds up during certain hours. They span some of Delhi's most notorious stretches. The list includes the perennially gridlocked Bhavbhuti Marg outside New Delhi Railway Station, Madhuban Chowk in the northwest, Mayur Vihar Phase III in the east, South Extension in the south, and Punjabi Bagh in the west. Key transit hubs like Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar are also on the list.
The exercise revealed long-standing structural issues causing the snarls. These include narrow roads, damaged medians, rampant illegal parking, encroachments by shops and vendors, poorly designed junctions, and extended civil works. In some cases, highly localized problems are to blame. For instance, on Boulevard Road near Tis Hazari, vehicles belonging to advocates frequently occupy both carriageways and block two DTC bus stops, creating hours-long snarls on working days.
Immediate Action and Enforcement
Based on the findings, agencies have begun implementing immediate on-ground measures. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dinesh Kumar Gupta provided details of the enhanced deployment. Additional traffic staff, ranging from five to over 29 personnel, have been stationed at critical points. Significant deployments include 29 personnel along Boulevard Road during peak hours, 24 at ISBT Anand Vihar, 20 on Sardar Patel Marg, and 12 near Patiala House Court.
Simultaneously, encroachment removal drives have been conducted at over 40 locations. These include Bhavbhuti Marg, Sadar Bazar, Azadpur Mandi, the stretch outside Max Hospital in Saket, Sarai Kale Khan, and the Okhla traffic signal on Mathura Road. "We are also following up with other agencies on long-term fixes, while constantly keeping a check on traffic violations," added Gupta.
Long-Term Infrastructure Solutions
The plan also outlines substantial infrastructure upgrades for sustained relief. For 14 locations, proposals include constructing subways, foot overbridges, and underpasses. Specific long-term projects identified include:
- Exploring an underpass connecting Pusa Road to Bagga Link Road over the next two years.
- Creating a parking facility or multilevel car park near Hanuman temple to prevent roadside parking, with a survey planned within three months.
- Assessing the feasibility of a new foot overbridge on Boulevard Road within three months after DMRC declined to open an existing Metro subway at night.
- Considering surface parking along Vikas Marg.
- Proposing an elevated road in Bawana with a two-year timeline.
The traffic assessment shows that more than half of the 62 locations face severe congestion during morning and evening peak hours. Prominent among these are Safdarjung Hospital, Ajmeri Gate, and the Punjabi Bagh roundabout on Ring Road. At least 10 spots, including Chelmsford Road and Purana Quila Road, grapple with intense evening traffic, while areas like South Extension Part I and Majnu Ka Tila are choked on weekends or market days.
Officials state this coordinated exercise is designed to create a lasting impact by combining enforcement, infrastructure upgrades, and junction redesign to finally ease congestion at Delhi's most problematic traffic points.
