Delhi's new Lieutenant Governor calls for action plan to decongest capital's roads

In one of his first major initiatives since assuming the post of New Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (LG), Anil Baijal on Thursday ordered setting up of a special task force for decongesting the capital's roads and measures for easing traffic snarls.

The Lt Governor asked the Delhi Traffic Police and other stakeholders to set up an intelligent traffic management system in the city and identify critical bottlenecks, PTI reported.

 He also directed concerned agencies to remove unauthorised parking and encroachments under flyovers and u-turns of roads.

Baijal also called for a new uniform parking policy strict action over speeding vehicles and use of mobile while driving, saying that no offenders should be spared.

"Strict action should also be take over speeding vehicles and use of mobile while driving. No offenders to be spared. Pedestrian safety measures should be implemented," a statement issued by the LG's office read.

The instructions were issued at a high-level meeting with senior officers of the city's traffic police, Transport Department, and administrative bodies including the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Public Works Department (PWD) and the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure Centre.

The statement issued by the LG's office said: "In the meeting, the LG directed to set up task forces with concerned stake holders for uniformity in decision making and focused efforts on ground. He also directed traffic police to identify critical bottleneck /congestion points besides taking measures to remove them. Unauthorised parking/encroachments under flyovers and u-turns should be removed
and the area will be fenced and beautified."

Baijal also asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, NDMC, Transport Department to prepare 'Uniform Parking Policy' for the city at the earliest, saying that municipal corporations will report to the land owning agency for enforcement in respect of violations.

Action should also be taken for procurement and installation of red light violation detection cameras and automatic number plate reader cameras at identified locations at the earliest, the LG's instructions stated.