The Delhi Traffic Police has begun phased trials of two U-turns on the Noida-Akshardham Uttar Pradesh Link Road as part of a plan to reduce congestion at the DND intersection, with the crossing likely to be closed after Diwali if the trials are successful.
The first trial is under way at the 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 turn safely and smoothly at the location.
A second trial is scheduled to begin next week at an existing U-turn near the DND intersection. The facility is being reorganised so that a larger number of vehicles can turn through it. The police will monitor both U-turns continuously until Diwali before reviewing the results.
According to the traffic plan, vehicles travelling from Noida and the DND toward the Crown Plaza hotel, Ghazipur Road, New Ashok Nagar, Chilla village, Trilokpuri and Vasundhara Enclave would use the Star City Mall U-turn if the DND intersection is closed. Vehicles approaching from New Ashok Nagar and Trilokpuri and travelling toward the DND or Akshardham would use the older U-turn near the intersection.
The proposed change would replace direct movement through the DND intersection with a traffic arrangement based on designated turning points. The traffic police is using the trial period to measure how the revised movement pattern handles peak-hour demand and whether drivers face operational difficulties.
Officials are expected to take a decision on permanently closing the intersection after examining the trial report following Diwali. No final closure has been announced yet, and the outcome will depend on traffic observations from both locations.
Separately, the Public Works Department is preparing a plan to redevelop vacant space below the ITO flyover near IP Estate police station. The proposal includes a PWD office, a CCTV control room, a café and kiosks selling tea, coffee and snacks.
The planned control room would accommodate about 40 employees and monitor more than 200,000 CCTV cameras installed across Delhi, according to the report. The area would also include seating for more than 100 people and additional greenery. The PWD began preparing the plan after Delhi minister Parvesh Sahib Singh inspected the site and directed officials to develop a proposal for its use.
