Traffic congestion on Delhi’s Barapullah Phase 3 corridor continued on Wednesday after Google Maps failed to show the latest traffic conditions on the lane connecting Mayur Vihar with AIIMS, prompting the Delhi Traffic Police to deploy drones and manage vehicle movement manually.
The inaccurate map display is directing motorists from Mayur Vihar, the DND Loop and NH-24 towards the Barapullah flyover after showing the route in blue, indicating that it is clear. The suggested shortcut is instead taking vehicles towards a congested stretch, adding to the traffic pressure on the corridor.
According to the traffic police, commuters are not currently receiving real-time updates for the affected section on Google Maps. The police said work is under way to update the information and that accurate traffic data is expected to become available soon.
The disruption is being monitored from the air. Drones are being used to track traffic conditions on the flyover and surrounding roads, with instructions sent to traffic personnel stationed at key points whenever congestion is detected. Traffic diversions are being introduced where required, while officers are also regulating vehicles manually.
Sandeep Gupta, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Southern Range, said the police were maintaining continuous surveillance of the flyover and nearby roads to reduce congestion. He said traffic personnel had been deployed at all important points and that traffic was being managed through diversions and on-ground intervention whenever necessary.
The affected route is an important connection for vehicles travelling from eastern and southeastern parts of Delhi towards AIIMS. The current situation also highlights the operational dependence of urban traffic movement on real-time navigation information: when road conditions change but map data does not, route recommendations can concentrate vehicles on already congested infrastructure.
For now, traffic authorities are relying on drone surveillance, field personnel and diversions to manage the corridor. The police said the Google Maps traffic information was being worked on and would be updated soon.
