Rattled by reports that more vehicles are plying on roads during the second phase of the odd-even formula, the Delhi government has formed a six-member committee to find the reasons.
This comes a day after a study was released by the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) indicating the surge of private vehicles compared to the first phase of the odd-even formula.
The findings were based on a day’s observation at major locations of the city that included Punjabi Bagh, Anand Vihar, Indraprastha, Ring Road (near Bhikaji Cama Place), Maharani Bagh, Mandir Marg, Gurgaon Expressway and Lodhi Road.
Amid complaints of traffic congestion, the government said the committee, under the chairmanship of transport special commissioner, K K Dahiya, will review the impact of two possible factors — heat and opening of schools — on the additional load.
“It is being observed that there is a problem of traffic compared to last odd-even and complaints have been coming from some areas of traffic snarls,” Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said.
“In the first phase, schools were closed and weather was pleasant but during the second round, re-opening of schools and people not choosing to walk even shorter distances due to hot weather, are the major factors contributing significantly to traffic jams,” he added.
The decision to form the committee was taken after a review meeting of the traffic situation of last one week.
“According to the traffic police, there is a 1.5 times increase in congestion this time and the committee will find out the reasons behind it to ensure adequate measures whenever the government comes out with the next edition of the odd-even scheme,” he said.
The committee has been asked to submit a report after April 30, the last date for the second phase of the odd-even formula.
Rai charged that another reason behind the traffic problem is concerted effort to sabotage the formula by bribing DTC bus drivers to trigger bus breakdowns.
Moreover, a “coordination team” of traffic police, enforcement wing of the transport department and civil defence volunteers, has been formed to handle traffic complaints in a better way, which are not being handled properly right now, Rai said.
Meanwhile, the government will conduct a drive on Tuesday under which it will randomly inspect cars with CNG stickers and those found with fake ones will be penalised under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), besides a fine of Rs 2,000.
Challans
On the ninth day of the initiative, the total challans issued were 711, including 409 for auto-rickshaws.
Published 23 April 2016, 19:30 IST