The city traffic police, which had banned light and medium commercial vehicles on the northbound side of the Western Express Highway (WEH) temporarily, is planning to extend the ban permanently.

The move comes after traffic cops reported smoother vehicular flow on and along the highway since its October 12 notification forbidding the above-mentioned vehicles on the highway.

Heavy commercials vehicles except buses had already been banned from plying on the highway in 2015.

In addition to the recent move of more vehicles being banned from the highway, the authorities have also undertaken drives to clear out encroachments, crack down on illegal parking, and bring traffic offenders to book. The concerted efforts have helped shave at least 10 minutes off the commute through key suburban routes, traffic cops said.

Today, amid construction of various Metro lines, commuters have been suffering like never before, and stringent measures are necessary to tackle traffic snarls, especially during rush hours.

A senior police officer said that with regular focus, traffic problems in routinely cramped areas on WEH can be solved to a great extent.

"After detailed examination and consultations with various officials, traffic police issued a notification disallowing commercial vehicles on northbound WEH between 5 pm and 9 pm. The experiment has been successful. Even choking on adjoining roads leading to the highway has seen a relief," he said on the condition of anonymity.

A lot of VIP movement takes place on and along the highway. The police have come down heavily on illegal stops and doible parking at important junctions, which was said to be a key reason for jamming the roads, the police officer said.

"All traffic divisions are working in close collaboration. The civic authority is also contributing to make the highway free of jams during rush hours. And the response from officer goers has been positive. That's what matters the most. In the near future, we will do all that is possible to curb the menace of time-consuming traffic in the suburbs, and especially on the highway," he said.