Independence Day checks lead to long snarls at Noida-Delhi borders

NOIDA: Strict checking of vehicles ahead of Independence Day celebrations led to long snarls at the Delhi-Noida border on Friday. Vehicles moved at snail’s pace on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, DND and the Kalindi Kunj routes.
What added to the problem was haphazard parking by trucks and other heavy vehicles, which were not allowed to enter Delhi till 2pm. Since the stranded heavy vehicles occupied a major part of the roads, only 2-3 lanes were left for others to move.
Already late for work, commuters took to Twitter and other social media platforms to vent out their anger over traffic management.
Pankaj Kansal, who had left home in Noida Sector 77 around 8.30am, was one such stranded commuter. “The snarls had started at the Sector 16 intersection itself. Traffic was very slow on the Film City route,” he said.
Pankaj reached Asiad village in Delhi around 10am. It took him almost double the time to reach his destination. “Usually, I reach in 45 minutes,” he said.
Brajesh Sharma, another commuter between Delhi and Noida, questioned the way vehicles were being checked. “Trucks and other heavy vehicles are lined up at the border ahead of Republic Day every year. But on Friday, some of the trucks were parked in a horizontal way in the middle of the DND bridge and occupied a major part of the road. Other vehicles were left with just two to three lanes to negotiate and move ahead,” he said.
Many commuters complained that the snarls lasted till around 1pm and extended up to the Lajpat Nagar bridge. “I reached my office near Siri Fort around 1pm. Traffic was virtually crawling between the DND toll and Lajpat Nagar area,” said Ramesh Sharma, who works at a public sector undertaking.
Traffic diversion
The traffic police in Noida have decided to divert vehicles that are not allowed to enter Delhi on to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. Heavy and medium vehicles are barred from entering the capital from 10pm on August 14 till the Independence Day celebrations last.
Such vehicles would be allowed to take a U-turn from the Chilla traffic signal, the DND toll and the underpass before Kalindi Kunj.
DCP (traffic) Ganesh Saha said they had two meetings with the traffic cops in Delhi. “The next drill would take place from 10pm on August 14 till the celebrations last. We have issued an advisory that vehicles that can’t enter Delhi will be diverted to the EPE. However, those who still manage to enter can be parked near Shani Mandir in Sector 14,” he added. Traffic cops in Noida have advised commuters to use alternative routes and dial 9971009001 in case of any problem.