Fewer traffic snarls this year keep Puja spirits high

New Delhi: From social media updates to on-ground management, Delhi Police have left no stone unturned to provide commuters with hassle-free roads this festive season and to ensure that traffic snarls does not dampen puja spirit.

Ahead of the festive rush, Delhi Traffic Police analysed last year's complaints for the corresponding period to tackle traffic woes.

Senior officers directed the deputy commissioners to ensure that roads are hassle-free. Police also said they are deploying appropriate manpower in the area most vulnerable to snarls.

Data of the complaints in 2017, accessed by Millennium Post, gives details about traffic congestions reported at the time of Navratri and Diwali. Cops analysed 149 complaints and the different reasons behind the snarls. They also made elaborate traffic arrangements during Puja rush.

A senior officer stated that regulation of traffic at Chirag Delhi flyover by staff of Greater Kailash circle was undertaken and they put continuous traffic advisories on social media about roads where traffic was heavy. "We deployed staff at 18 points around CR park," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Eish Singhal, adding that they also prohibited pick-up and drops at Savitri road.

At the same road, U-turn was closed at the M-Block cut. They also enforced no parking on this road.

Meanwhile, at puja pandals in CR Park, cops made elaborate security arrangements. Several ACPs and SHOs were deployed at the spot.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar said that necessary steps were being taken to ensure the free flow of traffic.

The area of CR Park was divided into different zones headed by Inspector-rank officers. Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern range) Devesh Srivastava stated that they have made tight security arrangement, which has resulted in the lower incidents of crime at puja pandals.

"Compared to last year, cases of pick-pocketing and other street crimes decreased. Also, lost children were reunited with their families by police after they got lost in pandals," said the Joint Commissioner.

Extra forces were also deployed, while CCTV cameras monitored movement at different spots.