New Delhi: Public Works Department plans to start work on developing dedicated bus lanes and traffic control measures outside Kashmere Gate ISBT under Hanuman Setu flyover.
Earlier in May, a traffic trial was carried out in the area where temporary measures were taken by placing barriers in such a way that buses did not directly merge with cars while exiting the bus terminal on Ring Road. The area is prone to traffic congestion even during non-peak hours because of the buses entering and exiting the bus terminal.
The 10-day trial run of traffic diversion in the area was conducted under the supervision of Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), which at the time proposed several long-term modifications to the road design around Kashmere Gate ISBT. These changes aim to address the daily traffic congestion problem caused by the increasing traffic load on roads with limited capacity. According to PWD, work started in the form of the development of a bus lane under Hanuman Setu flyover.
One of the key suggestions is to reduce the width of the footpath under the flyover, which will create more space for buses to manoeuvre. Additionally, CRRI recommended the closure of Nigambodh Ghat U-turn. The trial was implemented to test whether the diversions created would change the flow of traffic in the area. To manage the traffic merging point outside Kashmere Gate on Ring Road, barriers were placed to direct them under the bridge and then merge with the traffic a little bit further.
According to officials, it has been suggested by CRRI that the unused footpath area may be recovered and used for the movement of buses bound towards Pataleshwar Mandir. Also, a layout is being prepared for directing buses towards Shastri Park DMRC depot on Grand Trunk Road so that congestion is not caused at the spot.
Kashmere Gate bus terminal, situated close to Civil Lines where residences of CM, LG and cabinet ministers are located, experiences heavy traffic congestion daily. Lala Hardev Marg, the main road running along Kashmere Gate Metro Station and ISBT, is where the Yudhistir Setu, coming from east Delhi areas such as Shahdara and Dilshad Garden, merges. The road also caters to trading areas, resulting in the movement of commercial vehicles stopping for loading and unloading of goods.
