Delhi govt to develop ‘road management system’ to address traffic, pollution: Rekha Gupta

The Delhi government is developing a Road Asset Management System in collaboration with expert bodies to maintain city roads better, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Monday.

The government has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) for the task.

“To address challenges such as increasing traffic, air pollution and waterlogging, road maintenance will now move beyond traditional methods and be carried out through a scientific and data-driven system,” Gupta said, according to a statement.

Given the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, rising traffic loads, for the first time, Delhi is developing a Road Asset Management System (RAMS) to plan and maintain roads using scientific and data-based approaches, she said.

“The system will create a digital record of roads, facilitate regular condition assessments and enable maintenance and repair planning based on priority,” the chief minister said.

A key objective of the agreement with the two institutes is to move Delhi towards becoming a model for dust-free roads.

“Scientific green belts will be developed along roadsides, local plant species will be promoted, rainwater harvesting and stormwater drainage systems will be strengthened, and sustainable landscaping practices will be adopted to make roads greener, cleaner and more environmentally friendly,” the statement quoted Gupta as saying.

Under the initiative, waterlogging will be tackled with road slopes and a redesigned stormwater drainage system.

Under the MoA, CSIR-CRRI will provide technical support in the areas of road engineering, pavement technology, road safety and asset management, while SPA will offer expert guidance on urban design, streetscape planning, public space development, urban landscaping and green infrastructure.

Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said that the agreement marks an important step towards developing the capital’s road infrastructure in a modern, scientific and future-ready manner.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government is undertaking large-scale efforts to reduce dust pollution through the plantation of local and environmentally suitable trees.