Delhi Traffic Police is examining temporary bus parking near SP Mukherjee Marg and stepping up enforcement after congestion intensified around Old Delhi Railway Station and adjoining wholesale markets ahead of the festive and wedding seasons.
The arterial road connects Ring Road, Old Delhi Railway Station and Chandni Chowk, and carries a mix of DTC buses, goods carriers, private vehicles, e-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and handcarts. Roadside parking, loading and unloading, passenger pick-ups and encroachments are reducing the usable carriageway and slowing movement along the corridor.
Traffic police officials said buses are a particular concern because the road has limited width. Around 1,550 Delhi Transport Corporation buses ply the Old Delhi Railway Station route, and halting at designated points can take about 10 minutes per bus to complete entry, according to officials. Each stop can further restrict the space available to other vehicles on the already crowded stretch.
K Ramesh, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Central Range, said a study was required to identify the main causes of congestion and develop solutions ahead of the festive season. “Bus halts are a major concern, as the road is not wide enough to accommodate them,” he said.
Traffic police are coordinating with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi deputy commissioner to explore temporary parking space for buses at National Club parking. Local police and traffic officials inspected the stretch on Tuesday as part of the effort to identify operational measures for the corridor.
The traffic pressure is not limited to bus halts. A survey found that the approaches to Old Delhi Railway Station receive a steady flow of passengers and vehicles stopping for pick-ups and drop-offs. Unauthorised parking and roadside waiting are narrowing the road space available for through traffic.
The adjoining wholesale markets add another layer of pressure. Handcart pullers move slowly through the area and stop while goods are loaded, unloaded or temporarily stored on the roadside. Encroachments also push pedestrians onto the carriageway, increasing the conflict between walking and moving traffic.
Hamilton Road has been identified as another pressure point because of its narrow carriageway, heavy pedestrian movement and commercial activity. The wider corridor includes Kashmere Gate ISBT, Lothian Road, Pul Duffrin, Pul Mithai, Zorawar Singh Marg and Hamilton Road before returning to Kashmere Gate ISBT. Traffic spilling over from Netaji Subhash Marg and Mori Gate can add to queues on adjoining roads when one section becomes congested.
In response, Delhi Traffic Police has intensified action against improper parking, wrong-side driving and roadside obstructions. Officials are also sensitising merchants, shopkeepers and market associations against storing goods on roads. Motorcycle and crane patrols, wheel clamping and removal of encroachments are being used along the stretch.
Over the last five days, police issued 1,917 challans for improper parking and 171 for wrong-side driving. They also towed 206 vehicles, wheel-clamped 662 vehicles, removed 127 rehris and patris, and seized 15 vehicles and three other articles. The proposed temporary bus parking arrangement and continuing enforcement will determine the next steps for managing traffic on the corridor.
