The Delhi Traffic Police has begun phased trials of two U-turns to reduce congestion at the DND intersection on the Noida-Akshardham link road, with a plan to close the intersection after Diwali if the new traffic arrangement performs successfully.
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 to assess whether motorists can use the facility without difficulty. The trial is also intended to establish whether the U-turn can handle the volume of vehicles currently passing through the DND intersection.
A second trial is scheduled to begin next week at an existing U-turn near the DND intersection. The facility is being reorganised to allow a larger number of vehicles to turn through it more smoothly, according to the traffic police. Both U-turns will be monitored continuously until Diwali.
The proposed arrangement would replace direct movement through the DND intersection with designated U-turn movements. Under the plan, vehicles arriving from Noida and the DND and travelling towards the Ghazipur Road, New Ashok Nagar, Chilla village, Trilokpuri and Vasundhara Enclave areas would use the Star City Mall U-turn near Crown Plaza Hotel.
Vehicles approaching from New Ashok Nagar and Trilokpuri and travelling towards the DND and Akshardham would use the older U-turn near the DND intersection. The traffic police will assess the results of both trials before taking a final decision on shutting the intersection completely.
The proposed change is aimed at addressing recurring congestion at a junction that handles traffic between Noida and several parts of east and central Delhi. Closing the intersection would alter existing turning movements and require drivers to use planned diversion points instead of crossing through the junction directly.
Officials have not announced a permanent closure date. The decision is expected after the trial report is prepared following traffic monitoring through Diwali. The report will determine whether the two U-turns can manage vehicle movement and whether the revised arrangement creates operational difficulties for commuters.
Separately, the Delhi Public Works Department is preparing a plan to use vacant space under the ITO flyover near IP Estate for an office, a CCTV control room and a public café. The proposed control room would accommodate about 40 employees and monitor more than two lakh CCTV cameras installed across Delhi. The plan also includes kiosks serving tea, coffee and snacks, seating for more than 100 people and additional greenery around the site.
