ROAD TO UNCLOG CAPITAL CHAOS

THE capital's roads, appearing as mere pathways, often resemble chaotic arteries clogged with an overwhelming mix of private cars, two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, buses, and commercial vehicles.

- NITIN RAWAT & SHEKHAR SINGH

Further strain in the system is imposed by a continuous and huge influx of vehicles from NCR cities such as Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. And there is our traffic sense, or rather lack of it. Off course, our complete disregards for parking spots. It seems the capital is perpetually on the roads! While the sheer volume of vehicles poses a significant stress, a larger problem lies in the widespread absence of disciplined driving practices. A lack of proper training among a substantial number of drivers only intensifies the crisis. Factors such as poor road engineering, encroachments, ongoing construction projects, waterlogging and inefficient law enforcement contribute to daily commuting struggles. The involvement of multiple agencies the PWD, MCD, NDMC, NHAI, and the Transport Department - demands seamless coordination, without which lasting solutions remain elusive.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic Headquarters) Satyavir Katara and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic Headquarters) Shashank Jaiswal have been vocal about the crisis, stressing the need for multi-agency cooperation to alleviate the city's traffic woes.

WATERLOGGING AND POOR ROAD INFRA: SEASONAL NIGHTMARE

With the advent of monsoon, the inevitability of waterlogged streets unfolds. Nearly 450 chronic waterlogging spots have been identified, and efforts have been initiated to ensure better preparedness. However, traffic personnel deployed on the ground find themselves with limited options, often forced to rely on diversions rather than fundamental solutions.

Poor drainage systems and unplanned road maintenance projects further exacerbate congestion. The unpredictability of commute times is intensified as vehicles frequently break down due to accumulated water. Without long-term infrastructural interventions, such seasonal traffic nightmares persist year after year.