London traffic model in city soon

New Delhi :The national capital may soon follow the London model of levying congestion charges for driving a vehicle through designated roads, in a bid to reduce clogging of streets with traffic.

The Delhi traffic police was directed on Friday to conduct a detailed study to explore the feasibility of levying congestion charge and introducing one-way traffic on roads in the capital.

Lieutenant governor Anil Baijal held a meeting with officials of the Delhi traffic police and other agencies such as the Public Works Department  (PWD) and municipal corporations on the matter.

“The Delhi traffic police will get a detailed study carried out on the roads of Delhi where the congestion charge or the one-way traffic system can be implemented,” said Deependra Pathak, special commissioner of police (traffic) said. Mr Pathak is also the chief spokesperson of the Delhi Police. 

There are certain roads, which remain congested despite available alternative routes.

Congestion charge on such roads will ease traffic and prompt people to use alternative routes, the officer said.

An electronic system, similar to the ones in London and Singapore, will soon be launched for smooth implementation of congestion charge, if the study finds it feasible.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of introducing one-way traffic on certain roads. 

“All roads of the national capital have a two-way traffic system, which means that only one half of a particular road is available for traffic movement. We will have to see where the one-way traffic system can be implemented in a bid to smoothen traffic on the city’s congested roads and for effective traffic movement,” said the traffic police officer.