Delhi govt forms high-level panel to ease traffic congestion

In a major step towards tackling Delhi’s traffic woes, the city government has constituted a high-level committee comprising key stakeholder departments and expert consultants. The committee, led by Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma, aims to create a congestion-free and scientifically managed road network across the capital.

The newly formed body convened its first meeting on Friday, bringing together representatives from the PWD, Delhi Traffic Police, and road design specialists.

Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Minister Verma said, “The people of Delhi face traffic problems every day. The decisions made in this meeting will change the face of the city in the coming times. With the collaboration of all departments and experts, we are embarking on a new beginning.”

He emphasized that the committee’s vision extends beyond routine repairs or road construction. “Our goal is to create a new model of traffic management for Delhi,” he added.

According to officials, the meeting focused on identifying core traffic challenges and exploring scientific methods to improve the capital’s traffic flow. The committee plans to thoroughly review major intersections, heavily congested routes, and traffic signal patterns to identify potential interventions.

A government statement noted that the Delhi Traffic Police has already provided the PWD with a list of 538 sites requiring urgent attention, most of which fall under the PWD’s jurisdiction. The committee will prioritise these sites for improvement, and public feedback will be sought to ensure the proposed solutions address the concerns of Delhi’s commuters.

As part of the initial phase, road engineering experts shared detailed assessments of key traffic hotspots, including Metcalfe House, Kingsway Camp, Azadpur, and Madhuban Chowk. These areas, notorious for heavy traffic, will serve as pilot project locations where solutions such as additional U-turn lanes, construction of foot-over bridges, modification of signal timings, and road widening will be tested.

The committee is set to meet monthly to assess progress, discuss traffic bottlenecks, and present its recommendations to the PWD Minister, who will take the final call on implementation.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 15, during which recommendations for the identified sites will be reviewed, and further congestion points will be brought into focus.

(With inputs from PTI)