Delhi Traffic Police has begun a phased trial of two designated U-turns near the DND crossing and Mayur Vihar to ease peak-hour congestion, with the junction likely to be closed after Diwali if the revised arrangement improves traffic flow and safety.
The intersection on UP Link Road is a key connection for commuters travelling between Noida and east Delhi. Vehicles moving towards residential areas and routes including New Ashok Nagar, Chilla village, Trilokpuri, Vasundhara Enclave, Ghazipur Road and Akshardham currently converge at the crossing, creating bunching during busy periods.
The first trial is under way at a U-turn near Star City Mall in Mayur Vihar. Traffic officials are monitoring vehicle speeds, traffic volumes and pressure during peak hours, while also assessing whether motorists can negotiate the turn safely and smoothly.
A second trial is scheduled to begin next week at an existing U-turn near the DND intersection. The turning point is being reorganised to accommodate more vehicles as part of the proposed movement plan. The trials will separate turning movements that currently pass directly through the crossing.
Under the revised arrangement, motorists travelling from Noida and DND towards Crown Plaza hotel, Ghazipur Road, New Ashok Nagar, Chilla village, Trilokpuri and Vasundhara Enclave will use the U-turn near Star City Mall if the intersection is closed. Vehicles travelling from New Ashok Nagar and Trilokpuri towards DND or Akshardham will use the older U-turn near the intersection.
Traffic officials said vehicles moving towards the Star City crossing currently slow down as traffic travelling in the opposite direction converges at the same stretch. The resulting conflict between movements causes vehicles to bunch together and queues to build up during peak hours.
DCP (east) traffic Shweta Singh Chauhan said the plan would replace direct movement through the mall and DND crossing with designated turning points, changing the way traffic moves through the junction. She said the effect on commuters would depend on whether the revised pattern reduces queues and makes turns smoother or increases the distance and time required to reach destinations.
Chauhan also said the arrangement could help reduce accidents by replacing direct cross movement. Traffic police officials are using the trial period to assess how the two U-turns handle peak-hour demand and whether the changed movement pattern creates operational difficulties.
The trial is being conducted under the supervision of traffic inspector Surender Kumar and ACP Amreek Singh. Delhi Traffic Police will review traffic flow after Diwali before taking a final decision on whether to close the intersection and adopt the revised arrangement.
