Traffic jams returned to haunt Delhiites on Saturday, a day after the Delhi government’s odd-even policy ended, with severe blockades reported from several area, especially South Delhi.
Traffic jams returned to haunt Delhiites on Saturday, a day after the Delhi government’s odd-even policy ended, with severe blockades reported from several area, especially South Delhi. Some of the commuters even proposed continuation of the road rationing policy for smooth traffic, if not to curb air pollution.
Starting from about 9 am, severe traffic congestion was reported in the Delhi Cantonment area. Within an hour, there were long tailbacks witnessed at the stretches between Pankha Road and Uttam Nagar in West Delhi and between Pusa Road and Shadipur in central Delhi, a traffic official said.
Two hours later, congestion at Delhi Cantonment area led to a chock-a-block situation in and around Dhaula Kuan, where hundreds of commuters were stuck in a severe jam.
Meanwhile, traffic snarls were reported at East Delhi’s Khichripur, outer Delhi’s Burari by-pass and the flyover at northeast Delhi’s Shahd-ara.
In East Delhi, long tailbacks were witnessed at Preet Vihar and Vikas Marg, the official said.By noon, the traffic snarls at West Delhi and central Delhi worsened, and its ripple effect was witnessed at Rajouri Garden and Patel Nagar areas respectively, the official added.
The worst affected remained South Delhi with people stuck in jams for several hours, especially Sarai Kale Khan, INA, South Extension, Ring Road, Maharani Bagh, Lajpat Nagar and Saket.
A resident of Lajpat Nagar in South Delhi, Deepika, said: “I had to go to Greater Kailash market from my home for some shopping, but as soon as I reached Gupta Market, there was heavy traffic,” adding, “The last 15 days were considerably peaceful as far as traffic woes were concerned.” “I do not know whether the odd-even policy helped in controlling air pollution, but I am sure that it led to considerable decongestion, a reason for which I would not hesitate in supporting the road rationing policy again.”
A resident of Indira Puram in Ghaziabad, Vibhor Gaur, added: “I go to take my personal physical training classes at around 9 two days a week. For the past fortnight the traffic situation had been so serene that it took half the time to reach Mayur Vihar.
