The traffic in the city was never good, and now it’s got worse due to the lanes dedicated for Commonwealth-related vehicles. As Delhiites take the road blocks and traffic snarls in their stride, they are finding alternate means to commute.
Some have decided to park their vehicles at home, and opt public transport. “I have been reaching office late for the past few days as the dedicated lane system is causing jams along the route I take. I finally decided to leave my car at home till the Games are over, and am now taking an auto to go to work,” says Sachin Sinha, who works in an MNC and commutes from Patparganj to Okhla.
Advertising professional Shikha Sharma says that drivers irritated by the road blocks often get into street scuffles, and so she found it wiser to rest her car at home for a few days. “The morning and evening hours clock peak traffic rush. Many of us are irritated to see the ‘special’ cars zoom through the empty lanes, while one is waiting or inching ahead on the overcrowded side. It’s better to give your vehicle a rest and use public transport,” she says.
Artist Alka Raghuvanshi says that she had to reach India Habitat Centre for an art show and crossing Lodhi Road proved a nightmare. “The reserved lanes are empty and the common lane is choked. It was irritating,” she says.
Around 1,600 blueline buses have been taken off the roads to avoid traffic congestion, but this has in turn added to the woes of those using public transport and caused the Metro to register a record highest-level ridership of 15 lakh this Monday. Ishita Dutt, who works at a media house and commutes daily from Lakshmi Nagar to Green Park, says, “Now that the blueline is gone, I am left in a lurch. I tried the Metro twice, but it was really overcrowded. I almost choked in there. The autowallahs are also taking advantage of the situation. Today, I had to pay an autowallah double the fare.”
Those caught using the reserved lanes will be fined `2,000, and may also face a stint in jail for a month. According to a news report, around 850 people have been already been fined since Monday. Recently, an auto driver hit a vehicle carrying British journalists in Amar Colony area when he crossed over to the dedicated lane. The driver was arrested and a case under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of IPC was lodged.
However, parents of school kids are relieved. “I have been getting late for work. Even my children were late for school. Thankfully, the schools are closed till Oct 14,” said Shristhi Sen, a mother of two.