National Green Tribunal orders traffic decongestion plans for Delhi’s busiest commercial areas

NEW DELHI: The green tribunal, keeping up its strict vigil on Delhi’s air quality, has ordered the administration to submit traffic decongestion plans for Delhi’s busiest commercial areas by March 10 after consulting all stakeholders.

The National Green Tribunal said the focus should be on reducing traffic congestion, especially those resulting from haphazard parking. It identified the city’s two busiest market places-- for Lajpat Nagar and Karol Bagh-- as pilots for the traffic decongestion plan.

The Delhi administration told the tribunal on Wednesday that it would submit its plans for regulating traffic in Lajpat Nagar on Tuesday. The tribunal asked the civil administration to meet with the police and the market federations to examine the proposal prepared for the two market areas.

In November, the tribunal prohibited parking on roads as it led to traffic jams resulting in higher emissions from idling engines. The tribunal followed this up in January, asking authorities and traffic police to implement the “no parking on roads” order and to take strict action, including a Rs 1,000 fine for violators.

The tribunal reiterated that the traffic police must enforce the “no parking on roads” order in all of Delhi’s commercial areas, particularly high-congestion and pollution areas such as Karol Bagh, South Extension and Nehru Place.