More cops, higher fine ensured lane sense

NEW DELHI: The popular perception of Delhi being a lawless city seems to have taken a U-turn during the Commonwealth Games, at least as far as the traffic situation is concerned. Contrary to what most of us expected, driving on Delhi roads has been quite a breeze since the Games kicked off and people largely kept away from the Games lanes.
Despite the road blocks, the jams anticipated have not been as intense and the behaviour of Delhiites seems to have taken everyone by surprise.
The question being asked now is whether this can be made a permanent feature for a city known for indiscipline on the roads. Delhi's unruly traffic can no longer be blamed for not complying with the law. What is needed, instead, is more enforcement by the cops and stiffer penalties.
The traffic police says compliance to Games lanes has been very good and are attributing it to heightened police presence on the roads and stiffer penalties. "We have recruited over 1,000 more policemen in the last six months and that has translated into detailed deployment of manpower on all CWG routes. There is a policeman every 200 metres creating a feeling that you can't get away. A higher fine of Rs 2,000 and possibility of arrest have ensured good compliance to Games lanes,'' said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).
Garg added that now when the Games are over, cops would make sure traffic in city doesn't go back to usual chaos. "The strict implementation will continue after the Games. The added staff strength is here for the city to use. More people will be added to chase and challan scheme. As far as commercial vehicles are concerned, their movement can't be banned during the day permanently as it will lead to problems,'' Garg added.
For the first time, Delhiites also had an alternative in terms of better connectivity to public transport. Two new Metro lines to Gurgaon and Sarita Vihar have been added, bringing many more areas to the Metro map.
Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) added over 1,500 buses to its fleet improving connectivity. In addition, traffic calming measures like ban on movement of goods vehicles and Bluelines, have taken away the usual menace makers from the roads increasing the average speed of traffic on major roads.
The government's decision to close down schools and colleges, alter timings of markets and the fact that a lot of people are out of the city has also helped reduce the volume of traffic on the roads.