4 hrs ago
Barapullah Phase-III Opens to Traffic, Faces Three-Kilometre Jam
A new elevated road in Delhi opened to help people travel faster between east and south Delhi.
But on its first full day, many cars became stuck in a long traffic jam.
The line of vehicles from Mayur Vihar Phase-1 toward Sarai Kale Khan was nearly 3 km long.
Some drivers said they spent 40 to 55 minutes reaching parts of the new road.
The Delhi Traffic Police said it had noticed the problem and would send more officers to busy joining and leaving points.
Officials are studying how traffic is moving and plan to make changes.
The road connects Mayur Vihar Phase-1 with Sarai Kale Khan and continues toward AIIMS.
The other direction, from AIIMS toward Mayur Vihar, was expected to open by Thursday afternoon.
Commuters reported a tailback of nearly 3 km from Mayur Vihar Phase-1 toward Sarai Kale Khan.
Some motorists said journeys to the corridor’s first intersection took 40 to 55 minutes.
The Delhi Traffic Police ordered increased regulation at merging and exit points to clear congestion.
The corridor connects Mayur Vihar Phase-1 with Sarai Kale Khan and forms a signal-free route toward AIIMS.
The Rs 1,635-crore project faced repeated delays after approval in 2014 and construction beginning in 2015.
- Who
- Motorists and commuters using the Barapullah Phase-III corridor; Delhi Traffic Police and Public Works Department officials.
- What
- A newly opened elevated corridor experienced severe congestion, including a nearly 3-km traffic tailback.
- Where
- Between Mayur Vihar Phase-1, Sarai Kale Khan, Ring Road and the existing Barapullah network in Delhi.
- When
- The congestion was reported on Wednesday, one day after the corridor was inaugurated.
- Why
- Traffic officers said the new traffic pattern was being assessed; experts had earlier warned that merging near Sarai Kale Khan could cause congestion.
Commuters and experts
Authorities and project officials
Whether the corridor is reducing travel time
Commuters and experts
Commuters said the promised reduction in travel time was not visible and reported lengthy delays on the new route.
Authorities and project officials
Officials said traffic movement was being assessed and that corrective measures would be taken to improve flow.
Effect on surrounding traffic
Commuters and experts
Experts had warned before opening that the corridor could add congestion near Sarai Kale Khan.
Authorities and project officials
The corridor was intended to ease traffic on the Delhi-Noida Direct flyway and the Akshardham stretches.
Opening-day traffic management
Commuters and experts
Motorists encountered severe congestion at the corridor’s early operational stage.
Authorities and project officials
The Delhi Traffic Police said officers had been directed to intensify regulation and clear the build-up quickly.
Key facts
- Reported tailback
- Nearly 3 km from Mayur Vihar Phase-1 toward Sarai Kale Khan
- Reported travel delays
- About 40 minutes for one commuter and 55 minutes to reach the first intersection for another
- Corridor route
- Mayur Vihar Phase-1 on Noida Link Road to Sarai Kale Khan on Ring Road
- Signal-free stretch
- About 9 km to the AIIMS roundabout when joined with the existing Barapullah network
- Project cost
- Rs 1,635 crore
- Project timeline
- Approved in 2014; construction began in 2015 and was initially scheduled for completion in 2017
- Planned traffic response
- More regulation and stronger deployment at critical merging and exit points
Quotes
A traffic officer
Delhi traffic official responding to reports of congestion on the new corridor
“The congestion reported on the newly-opened Barapullah Phase-III corridor, including the tailback from the Mayur Vihar side, has been noted on priority. Traffic officers have been directed to intensify regulation and strengthen deployment at critical merging and exit points.”
theprint.in
Sources
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