Parliament of India Rajya Sabha

Home , Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Dinesh Trivedi, Neeraj Shekhar, Transport in Delhi

REPORT NO.

228

DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS

TWO HUNDRED TWENTY EIGHTH REPORT

ACTION TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS CONTAINED IN THE TWO HUNDRED TWENTY SECOND REPORT ON THE MANAGEMENT OF WORSENING TRAFFIC SITUATION IN DELHI

(Presented to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha on 21st December, 2020) (Forwarded to the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 21st December, 2020)

(Presented to Rajya Sabha on 2nd February, 2021) (Laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 2nd February, 2021)

…..………NOVEMBER

….…NOVEMBER, 2011

Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi December, 2019/ Agrahayana, 1942 (Saka)

Hindi version of this publication is also available

C.S. (H.A.)- 448

PARLIAMENT OF INDIA RAJYA SABHA

DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS

TWO HUNDRED TWENTY EIGHTH REPORT

ACTION TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS CONTAINED IN THE TWO HUNDRED TWENTY SECOND REPORT ON THE MANAGEMENT OF WORSENING TRAFFIC SITUATION IN DELHI

(Presented to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha on 21st December, 2020) (Forwarded to the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 21st December, 2020)

(Presented to Rajya Sabha on 2nd February, 2021) (Laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 2nd February, 2021)

Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi December, 2019/Agrahayana, 1942 (Saka)

C O N T E N T S 1. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE (i)

2. INTRODUCTION (ii)

3. ACRONYM (iii) - (iv)

4. REPORT 1 - 64

Chapter - I 3 - 11 Recommendations/Observations which have been accepted by the Government

Chapter - II 12 - 33 Recommendations/Observations on which the Committee does not desire to pursue the matter in view of the Government’s reply Chapter - III 34 - 51 Recommendations/Observations in respect of which replies of the Government have not been accepted by the Committee

Chapter - IV 52 - 64 Recommendations/Observations in respect of which final reply of the Government have not been received

5. OBSERVATIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE- 65 - 76 AT A GLANCE

6 RELEVANT MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE 78 - 79

7 ANNEXURE 81- 82

DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS (Re-constituted w.e.f. 13th September, 2019)

1. Shri Anand Sharma - Chairman

RAJYA SABHA 2. Shri S. R. Balasubramoniyan 3. Shri P. Bhattacharya 4. #Shri Dinesh Trivedi 5. Dr. Anil Jain 6. *Shri Neeraj Shekhar 7. Shri Satish Chandra Misra 8. Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh 9. Shri Rakesh Sinha 10. Shri Bhupender Yadav

LOK SABHA 11. Shri Sanjay Bhatia 12. Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury 13. Dr. (Shrimati) Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar 14. Shri Dilip Ghosh 15. Shri Dulal Chandra Goswami 16. Shrimati Kirron Kher 17. Shri Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar 18. Shri Dayanidhi Maran 19. Shri Raja Amareshwara Naik 20. Shri Jamyang Tsering Namgyal 21. Shri Ranjeetsinha Hindurao Naik Nimbalkar 22. Shri Lalubhai Babubhai Patel 23. Shri R.K. Singh Patel 24. Shri Gajendra Singh Patel 25. Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram 26. Shri Pothuganti Ramulu 27. Shrimati Sarmistha Sethi 28. Shri Rajveer Singh (Raju Bhaiya) 29. Shri Ravneet Singh 30. Dr. Satya Pal Singh 31. Shrimati Geetha Viswanath Vanga

SECRETARIAT

Dr. P.P.K. Ramacharyulu, Secretary Shri Vimal Kumar, Joint Secretary Dr. (Smt.) Subhashree Panigrahi, Director Shri Ashwani Kumar, Additional Director Shri Pritam Kumar, Under Secretary Shri Vijay Kumar, Assistant Committee Officer ______* Shri Neeraj Shekhar, MP, Rajya Sabha nominated w.e.f. 4th February, 2020 to fill the vacancy caused by resignation of Shri Shamsher Singh Manhas, MP, Rajya Sabha from Committee w.e.f. 31st January, 2020. # Shri Dinesh Trivedi nominated w.e.f. 22nd July, 2020 consequent upon the vacancy arose on the expiration of term of Shri Manish Gupta from the membership of Rajya Sabha on 2nd April, 2020. (i) INTRODUCTION

I, the Chairman of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, having been authorized by the Committee to submit the Report on its behalf, do hereby present this Two Hundred Twenty-eighth Report on Action Taken by Government on the Recommendations/Observations Contained in the Two Hundred Twenty Second Report on 'The Management of Worsening Traffic Situation in Delhi '.

2. The Two Hundred Twenty Second Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs was presented to the Rajya Sabha and laid on the Table of the Lok Sabha on the 11th December, 2019. After presentation/laying of the Report, the copies thereof were sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs requesting them to furnish Action Taken Notes on the recommendations of the Committee contained in the Report. The Ministry furnished the Action Taken Notes on the said report to the Committee on 9th March, 2020.

3. The Committee has noted that the statement on the status of implementation of the recommendations contained in the said Report of the Committee has not been laid on the Table of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha in pursuant to the direction of Chairman, Rajya Sabha dated 24th September 2004.

4. The Committee considered the draft Two Hundred Twenty-eighth Report and adopted the same at its meeting held on 11th September, 2020.

5. The recommendations/observations of the Committee are printed in bold letters.

Anand Sharma 11th September, 2020 Chairman New Delhi Department-related Parliamentary Bhadra 20, 1942 (Saka) Standing Committee on Home Affairs

(ii) ACRONYMS

ACB Anti-Corruption Bureau CNCR Central NCR CCTV Closed-circuit Television CoTS Committee of Transport Commissioners/Secretaries CNG Compressed Natural Gas CRRI Central Road Research Institute DTC Delhi Transport Corporation DDA Delhi Development Authority DUSIB Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board DMRC Delhi Metro Rail Corporation DIMTS Delhi Integrated Mass Transit System EDMC East Delhi Municipal Corporation ECS Estimated Car Spaces EPE Eastern Peripheral Expressway EPCA Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Control Authority EVs Electronic Vehicles FAME-II Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Scheme Scheme GNCTD Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi GPS Global Positioning System HPC High Powered Committee ITS Integration of Transit Stations IRDAI Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India IIBI Insurance Information Bureau of India ITMS Intelligent Traffic Management System IIT Indian Institute of Technology IAHE Indian Academy of Highway Engineers IPT Intermediate Public Transport IDTR Institute of Driving and Traffic Research LED Light Emitting Diode MLCPs Multi-level Car Parking MoH&UA Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs MCD Municipal Corporation of Delhi MDTS Motor Driving Training School MHA Ministry of Home Affairs MMI Multi-Modal Integration MoRTH Ministry of Road Transport and Highways NDMC New Delhi Municipal Council NCRPB Nation Capital Region Planning Board NGT National Green Tribunal NHAI National Highway Authority of India North DMC North Delhi Municipal Corporation NMT Non Motorised Transport OSVD Over Speed Violation Detection camera system (iii)

PAMP Parking Area Management Plan PWD Public Works Department PPP Public Private Partnership RFP Request For Proposal RRTS Regional Rapid Transit System RLVD Red Light Violation Detection Camera STA State Transport Authority SDMC South Delhi Municipal Corporation SMS Short Message service TSS Total Station Survey UTTIPEC Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre WRI World Resource Institute

(iv) REPORT The Action Taken Report of the Committee deals with the action taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the recommendations contained in the Two Hundred and Twenty-second Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs on the Manaementof Worsening Traffic Situation in Delhi. The said Report of the Committee was presented to the Parliament on 11th December, 2019.

2. Action Taken Notes (ATNs) received from the Ministry of Home Affairs in respect of the observations/recommendations contained in the Two Hundred and Twenty-second Report have been categorized as follows:

Chapter I: The observations/recommendations, which have been accepted by the Government: Paras: 3.3.5, 3.5.5, 3.9.15, 4.5.7, 4.5.11, 4.5.14, 4.7.10, 4.9.9, 4.11.4, 4.11.5, 4.11.6, 5.1.8, 5.1.9, 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.2.6 and 5.3.8 (of the Two Hundred and Twenty-second Report) Total recommendations- 17 Accepted.

The Committee is pleased to note that the Ministry has accepted 17 of its recommendations as mentioned in Chapter – I of the Report.

Chapter II: The observations/recommendations which the Committee does not desire to pursue in view of the Government’s replies: - Paras: 3.2.5, 3.9.14, 4.2.4, 4.2.8, 4.2.23, 4.2.24, 4.2.25, 4.2.26, 4.2.27, 4.2.28, 4.2.34, 4.2.35, 4.2.51, 4.2.52, 4.2.54, 4.2.55, 4.2.67, 4.2.68, 4.2.76, 4.2.77, 4.2.78, 4.2.83, 4.2.85, 4.4.8, 4.4.9, 4.4.17, 4.5.6, 4.5.8, 4.5.12, 4.5.15, 4.6.15, 4.6.16, 4.6.21, 4.6.23, 4.7.11, 4.7.12, 4.7.14, 4.8.10, 4.8.11, 4.9.8, 5.2.8, 5.3.1, 5.3.3 and 5.3.4 (ibid) (Total recommendations- 44. Not to be pursued further.

The Committee is convinced with the explanation furnished by the Ministry in respect of 44 recommendations and, therefore, does not want to pursue such recommendations further.

Chapter III: The observations/recommendations in respect of which the Committee is not satisfied with the replies of the Ministry: Paras: 3.4.3, 3.6.4, 3.7.5, 3.8.2, 3.9.12, 3.10.8, 3.11.5, 4.2.3, 4.2.9, 4.2.20, 4.2.53, 4.2.73, 4.2.84, 4.4.10, 4.5.13, 4.5.23, 4.6.18, 4.6.20, 4.7.17, 4.7.19 and 5.2.7 (ibid) Total recommendations- 21 Not convincing replies.

The Committee expresses its concern over the non-implementation of 21 of its recommendations contained in Chapter-III and desires that the Ministry should take further necessary action and furnish convincing replies in respect of those recommendations within a time frame of three months after presentation of the Report.

Chapter-IV: The observations/recommendations in respect of which final replies of the Government have not been received: Para: 3.8.3, 3.9.11, 3.9.13, 3.11.4, 4.2.42, 4.2.43, 4.2.44, 4.2.45, 4.3.13, 4.3.14, 4.4.11, 4.5.19, 4.5.20, 4.5.21, 4.5.22, 4.6.6, 4.6.7, 4.6.8, 4.6.19, 4.7.4, 4.7.5, 4.10.3, 4.10.4, 4.10.5, 5.1.7, 5.3.2, 5.3.5, 5.3.6 and 5.3.7 (ibid) Total recommendations- 29 To be pursued further.

In respect of the 29 recommendations placed in Chapter IV, the Committee feels that the Ministry has either furnished interim replies or couched its response in vague terms. The Committee desires that the Ministry should furnish pointed and detailed Action Taken Notes in respect of the recommendations categorized in Chapter-IV as per the intention and spirit of the recommendations of the Committee within three months.

The para-wise details of the ATNs are being discussed, as per the categorisation indicated above, in the succeeding Chapters.

CHAPTER-I

Recommendations/Observations which have been accepted by the Government

1.1 Delhi Traffic Police

Recommendation

1.1.1 The Committee observes that Delhi Traffic Police is mainly focusing and putting in efforts on regulating traffic at red-lights and intersections and little attention is paid towards violation of traffic rules on roads like not driving in the proper lane, changing lanes without indication, overspeeding, dangerous driving, etc. and enforcement of the various traffic rules at other places on roads of Delhi. The Committee therefore recommends that Delhi traffic Police should attach equal importance to enforcement related aspects on roads too and not restrict itself only to regulation of traffic at traffic signals. (Para 3.3.5 of 222nd Report) Action Taken

1.1.2 Delhi Traffic Police has reported that other than regulating traffic, equal emphasis is laid on prosecution of visible traffic violations having direct bearing on road safety. To ensure strict prosecution, traffic staff is deployed strategically at the congestion points and at the accident prone locations. The staff are deployed on motor patrols on the designated roads/road stretches to check violation of traffic rules and regulation. Prosecution drives are conducted regularly to enforce road discipline amongst the road users. The details of prosecution action undertaken by Delhi Traffic Police during the year 2019 are as under:-

No. of Challans No. of Challans Offence 2019 Offence 2019 Red light jumping 2,30,502 Not using seat belt 5,08,707 Use of mobile phone while Over speeding 1,04,450 18,451 driving Triple riding 1,62,182 Not driving in proper lane 4,431 Rider Without helmet 10,36,151 Yellow line violation 52,776 Pillion rider without helmet 4,54,912 Wrong overtaking 6347 Dangerous driving 2,25,553 One way violation 2,93,698 Drunken driving 36,065 Improper parking 9,34,699

1.1.3 However, recommendations of the Committee have been noted by Delhi Traffic Police for compliance.

Further Recommendation

1.1.4 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

1.2 Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H) and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)

Recommendation

1.2.1 The Committee feels that the Government should not act hastily in planning as the automobile sector at the present stage should have the right balance. At this juncture, dependence on petrol and diesel vehicles cannot be eliminated. Rather, there remains an urgent necessity to go for clean diesel which Europe and other countries are doing. The Committee cautions that any proposal of completely switching over to EVs, if accepted, the entire automobile sector may collapse, since it has already started showing a down trend in terms of production and sales. The Committee therefore strongly recommends that the Ministry should take a holistic view; adopt a pragmatic approach and maintain the right balance of all type of vehicles which run on different fuels. (Para 3.5.5 ibid)

Action Taken

1.2.2 The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has informed that they have noted the observations. All the vehicles will continue to be registered as long as they meet the requisite safety and emission standards.

Further recommendations

1.2.3 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

1.3 Municipal Corporations/Council of Delhi

Recommendation

1.3.1 The Committee recommends that EDMC make decongestion plans for other commercial areas of the region and search spots for multi-level car parking to take out vehicles parked on roads both in commercial and residential areas.

(Para 3.9.15 ibid) Action Taken

1.3.2 EDMC has informed that they are making all efforts to create more parking spaces for movement and to accommodate forever increasing number of vehicles. At present, EDMC has allotted surface parking lots at 60 sites in different areas for accommodating 13,200 vehicles and 30 more surface parking spaces have been identified to accommodate about 6,000 vehicles. Apart from surface parking, one multilevel parking at Krishna Nagar having capacity of 200 ECS has been completed recently and opened for public. Tenders for construction of 3 multilevel car parking at Babarpur Road, Geeta Colony and at Nand Nagri for capacity of 645 ECS have been received and work is likely to be awarded by 31st March, 2020. These parking lots are likely to be completed within one year. Tenders for construction of 2 more multilevel parking at Preet Vihar and GT Road Apsara Border having capacity 579 ECS are under preparation on PPP Model and work will be taken up accordingly.

Further Recommendation

1.3.3 The Committee notes the reply given by the Ministry.

1.4 Rationalization of Buses And Enhancing the Present Fleet of Buses

Recommendation

1.4.1 The Committee notes that the attempt to initiate the process of induction of 385 electric buses has failed as no bidder was found meeting the technical benchmarks and the tender process is being reinitiated. In this connection, the Committee fails to understand as to why the provision for land for parking has not been thought out before setting a target of inducting 1000 electric buses. The Committee feels that electric buses though may provide an alternative to fossil fuel but also is viewed as one of the most difficult sustainable public transport. So, the Committee strongly feels that the Govt. should wait for the successful running of the initial phase and then start processes involved in induction of remaining 615 buses. (Para 4.5.7 ibid) Action Taken

1.4.2 Transport Department, GNCTD has informed as under:

(i) Hon‟ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of M.C. Mehta versus Union of India &Ors in CWP No.13029/1985 vide its order of July 28, 1998 inter-alia directed Government of NCT of Delhi to augment the public transport (stage carriage) to 10,000 buses by April 01, 2001. The Hon‟ble Delhi High Court vide its order of August 23, 2007 (read with order of September 10, 2007) in the matter of Court on its own motion (Crl. W.P. No.878/2007) has further directed Government of NCT of Delhi to augment the city bus fleet up to 11000 buses by theend of March, 2009to ensure that the order of Hon‟ble Supreme Court is given full effect to. The Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) vide its report of No.31 has prayed Hon‟ble Supreme Court of India to inter-alia direct Government of NCT of Delhi to add another 6000 buses by the end of 2009, so that the city bus fleet be augmented up to 16000 buses. Hon‟ble Supreme Court vide its order of February 01, 2008 has inter-alia sought the response of Government of NCT of Delhi. Pr. Secretary – cum - Commissioner (Transport) vide his affidavit has informed the Hon‟ble Court that Government is augmenting city bus fleet up to 11000 buses through cluster scheme in accordance with the orders of Hon‟ble Delhi High Court. The matter is still pending before the Hon‟ble Supreme Court of India for appropriate orders on EPCA plea. As such, Government of NCT of Delhi has to immediately augment the bus fleet up to 11,000 buses. The bus fleet could not be augmented primarily due to paucity of bus depots space. (ii) The matter of paucity of land for bus depots was also raised by the Amicus before the Hon‟ble Supreme Court in the matter of M.C. Mehta versus Union of India &Ors. (WP Civil No.13029/1985). The Hon‟ble Supreme Court vide its order of January 21, 2016 inter-alia directed EPCA to examine the matter of availability of lands for parking of buses and make recommendations to the Hon‟ble Supreme Court for providing any further space for parking of buses. (iii) EPCA had meetings with all the stakeholders and finalized its recommendation in its meeting held on May 20, 2016. In addition to the land already available with DTC and Transport Department for bus depots, EPCA estimated that 134 acres and 341 acres additional land is required to augment the city bus fleet up to 11000 & 16000 buses respectively. The said assessment of DDA was excluding the Millennium Bus Depot complex consisting of 61.69 acres of land. The report was submitted in the month of May, 2016 and since then no additional land has been allotted by DDA to Transport Department/DTC for bus depots. The Millennium Bus Depot complex having capacity 1200 buses was constructed by GNCTD during the Commonwealth Games – 2010. 5

The depot complex was vacated by DTC due to Hon‟ble Supreme Court orders on the matter of change of land use. The Hon‟ble Supreme Court has directed that Hon‟ble National Green Tribunal will take final decision in the matter regarding change of land use of the said depot complex by DDA. Hon‟ble NGT has constituted a Committee under the Chairperson of Smt. Shailja Chandra, Former Chief Secretary, Delhi to make its recommendations to Hon‟ble NGT for final decision. Further, 2 parcels of land located at Vasant Kunj (11 acres) and Rohini Sector-32 (10 acres) could not be made available by DDA to Transport Department despite making full payments by Transport Department to DDA. According to DDA, both the parcels of land are under litigation and possession of the same cannot be given to Transport Department by DDA. (iv) The decision of inducting 1000 Electric Buses by Transport Department under the cluster scheme is of the Council of Ministers, Government of NCT of Delhi. The Council of Ministers has further decided to induct 385 electric buses in the first phase. The following views of the Committee shall be put up to Hon‟ble Minister (Transport) by the Cluster Branch for further orders, keeping in view the decision of the Council of Ministers. (v) That electric buses, though an alternative to fossil fuel, one also viewed as one of the most difficult sustainable public transport.

1.4.3 So, the Committee‟s recommendation about waiting for the successful running of the initial phase and then start processes involved in induction of remaining 615 buses noted for compliance.

Further Recommendation

1.4.4 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

1.4.5 The Committee takes note of the pilot projects for introducing electric vehicles. The Committee feels that with the advancement of technology and economy of scales, electric buses will become economically viable and sustainable in long run. (Para 4.5.11 ibid) Action Taken

1.4.6 This has been noted by Transport Department, GNCTD

Further Recommendation

1.4.7 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

1.4.8 The Committee is of the view that though adding more vehicles to the public fleet is essential as high dependable public transport lead to lesser use of personal vehicles. But, the Committee is of the considered opinion that dependable public transports needs efficiency not only as how this operates but also by people too who operate the system. (Para 4.5.14 ibid)

Action Taken

1.4.9 The Transport Department shall ensure these aspects in totality. The installation of GPS devices/vehicle tracking system will further enhance the overall efficiency of the bus operation of DTC and Cluster scheme through effective monitoring.

Further Recommendation

1.4.10 The Committee takes note of the reply by the Ministry.

1.5 Contribution of Metro in Reducing Vehicles on Roads

Recommendation

1.5.1 The Committee notes that over the years there is an incremental trend in the daily ridership of the Metro Rail. The Committee feels that this had made a positive impact on easing of the traffic congestion on the roads as more and more people are preferring to travel by Metro Rail due to comfort and viability thereby reducing the number of private cars on the roads. (Para 4.7.10 ibid) Action taken

1.5.2 No comments.

Further Recommendation

1.5.3 The Committee notes the reply as it was just an observation of the Committee.

1.6 Improving Driving Capacity and the Fitness Capacity of the Vehicles and Establishments of Driver Training Schools

Recommendation

1.6.1 The Committee notes that privately running driving training schools are preparing the learner drivers for the driving test for issuance of driving license by the concerned authority. The Committee therefore, recommends that Government should at the earliest set up driving schools under the jurisdiction of license issuing authorities across Delhi. The Committee further recommends that proper monitoring of these privately owned driver training schools needs to be ensured so that adequate and quality training can be imparted to the drivers learning driving skills from these centres.

(Para 4.9.9 ibid) Action Taken

1.6.2 The GNCT of Delhi has set up three Institutes of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTRs) in association with Maruti and Ashok Leyland to give quality education to commercial drivers. Motor Driving Training School (MDTS) policy will also be modified to incorporate the concerns of Hon‟ble Committee.

1.6.3 The Enforcement Wing of Transport Department keeps taking action against unauthorized MDTS Vehicles which are found plying on roads regularly. As and when any complaint is received from any source, action is taken promptly. Further Recommendation

1.6.4 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

1.7 Medium Term Plan

Recommendation

1.7.1 The Committee notes that the plan envisaged for the short-term plan will be completed by the year 2020 and that for the medium term planning for traffic management in Delhi, the timeline has been fixed upto the year 2025. (Para 4.11.4 ibid) Action Taken

1.7.2 No Comments

Further Recommendation

1.7.3 The Committee notes the reply as it was just an observation of the Committee.

Recommendation

1.7.4 The Committee strongly believes that a plan is not good unless it has clear outcomes and clear timelines. Further, the experience gained in implementation of the short-term plan would pave a way for more efficient implementation of the medium term plan as the Committee observes that at present there is near complete lack of co-ordination among different agencies involved in the improvement of traffic situation in Delhi/NCR. (Para 4.11.5 ibid)

1.7.5 The Committee, therefore, recommends that for the efficient and time bound achievements of the goals set under the two plans, the High Powered Committee (HPC) constituted under the Chairmanship of Home Secretary, should very closely monitor the progress of the works. The HPC should meet with all the agencies involved for completion of the projects at regular intervals as this will provide a common platform resulting in better co-ordination among all the agencies to sort out the problems/issues being faced by them in implementation of the plan. The Committee needs to be apprised by the HPC about the progress made on the short term plan scheduled to be completed by the year 2020 as also about the Medium term plan on regular basis. (Para 4.11.6 ibid) Action Taken

1.7.6 Action taken by all the stakeholders on the short term plan decided by the HPC has been elaborated in the 222nd Report and the instant ATN. The recommendation of the Committee is noted for compliance.

Further Recommendation

1.7.7 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

1.8 Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

Recommendation

1.8.1 The Committee further recommends that the Ministry of Home Affairs should also convene a meeting of all institutions and nodal agencies to create an institutional mechanism for coordination and cooperation so that results of research work done by various institutions like IITs, CRRI etc., can be used towards finding solutions to the problems related to traffic management. (Para 5.1.8 ibid) Action Taken

1.8.2 CRRI is represented in the HPC. Recommendation of the Committee is noted for compliance.

Further Recommendation

1.8.3 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

1.8.4 The Committee also notes that when a policy decision is taken, research institutions are not involved in the decision making. The Committee recommends that research institutions and other knowledge partners must be invited to meetings where a policy decision is being considered so that their suggestions and feasibility of their models could also be carefully examined at the apex level of knowledge sharing and decision making. (Para 5.1.9 ibid) Action Taken

1.8.5 CRRI is represented in the HPC. Knowledge Partners are invited for all the meetings related to HPC.

Further Recommendation

1.8.6 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

1.9 Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)

Recommendation

1.9.1 The Committee is pained to learn that no study has been done for the entire Delhi after the last Comprehensive Mobility Plan Study that was done in the year 2007. Thereafter, the Capital has expanded manifold, traffic has increased and metro operation has increased. There has been a massive change in the kind of travel patterns that Delhi is experiencing. The Committee strongly recommends that there is an urgent need to get comprehensive mobility plan study done for Delhi and if needed, for the entire NCR. (Para 5.2.4 ibid) Action Taken

1.9.2 Chief Secretary, Delhi has been requested on 19th December, 2019 to issue necessary instructions to the concerned officers of Transport Department, GNCTD to get the comprehensive mobility plan study done for Delhi at the earliest and the outcome of the study shared with MHA. In pursuance to the meeting held in MHA with Transport Department, CRRI and IIT, Delhi on 6.12.2019, 9 the Knowledge Partner, HPC has prepared the draft Terms of Reference of the Study and shared with Transport Department, CRRI and IIT/Delhi for comments. CRRI has provided on 26th February, 2020 the Terms of Reference for the Study to be conducted by Transport Department, GNCTD. The same has been shared on 02.03.2020 with Transport Department, GNCTD and Knowledge Partner, HPC.

Further recommendation

1.9.3 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

1.9.4 The Committee also notes that all stakeholders should be involved as policies cannot be made in isolation so there is a need to follow the principle of inclusion. As different organizations are inter- connected like where NDMC area ends, other municipal corporation area starts; where that corporation ends, another corporation area starts; where a border ends, either U.P. or Haryana comes in. The Committee therefore, strongly recommends to involve all the stakeholders like various Municipal Corporations of Delhi, DDA, MORT&H, Haryana Government, U.P. Government, IIT Delhi, CRRI, other research institutes and knowledge partners while making plans to manage traffic in Delhi and NCR. (Para 5.2.5 ibid) Action Taken

1.9.5 The recommendations of the Committee have been circulated to all the stakeholders for compliance.

Further Recommendation

1.9.6 The Committee takes notes of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

1.9.7 The Committee further observes that there has been manifold increase in the registration of vehicles in the City of Delhi. There is also cross movements of traffic between Delhi and adjoining cities like Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, etc., but there is hardly any expansion of the roads and there is urgent need to construct new flyovers to carry the traffic. The time has come when redundant service lanes needs to be developed as a measure to expand the existing roads to carry the increased volume of traffic and there is an urgent need to find low cost, space saving, innovative solutions to decongest the roads of Delhi and NCR. (Para 5.2.6 ibid) Action Taken

1.9.8 The recommendations of the Committee have been circulated to all the stakeholders for compliance.

Further recommendation

1.9.9 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

1.10 General Observations/recommendations

Recommendation

1.10.1 The Committee appreciates that immediately after Committee took this subject for examination, the Ministry of Home Affairs had constituted a High Power Committee (HPC) under the Chairmanship of Home Secretary for coordinating, finalizing and implementing meaningful and effective action points. The HPC in its meeting on 9th October, 2018 shortlisted six short term plans to be completed during 2019-20. The Committee feels that since Home Secretary has number of other important jobs to handle, the HPC should concentrate on finalizing the policy decisions and periodic monitoring of the implementation of the project. The nitty-gritty of bringing all concerned departments/agencies together for finalizing action points should be handled by officers of the rank of Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MHA. The approach of HPC should be to see that all departments/agencies work in tandem with full knowledge and support of one another. It should work as one point forum for resolving differences and taking a final view after taking all the inputs into considerations. (Para 5.3.8 ibid) Action Taken

1.10.2 The observations of the Committee have been noted.

Further Recommendation

1.10.3 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

CHAPTER-II

Recommendations/Observations on which the Committee does not desire to pursue the matter in view of the Government's Reply

2.1 Ministry of Home Affairs

Recommendation

2.1.1 The Committee notes that High Powered Committee (HPC) is headed by the Home Secretary and observes that he has other crucial responsibilities and his presence is required for many urgent issues/matters involving the internal security situation and other matters concerning several departments of MHA and other State Governments. The Committee feels that the Home Secretary cannot devote much time towards achieving the mandate of HPC. The Committee therefore, recommends that the High Powered Committee should be headed by some other senior officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs other than Home Secretary. The Committee further recommends that a representative from the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRB) should be included in the HPC as its member. (Para 3.2.5 ibid) Action Taken

2.1.2 The recommendation of the Hon‟ble Committee that the High Powered Committee (HPC) should be headed by some other senior officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs other than Home Secretary could not be accepted due to the following reasons: (i) The stewardship of Home Secretary (HS) lends credence, credibility and stature to the HPC. In fact, the directions of the HPC assume importance because of the fact that it is a body headed by HS. (ii) The HPC has so far had two meetings on 9th October, 2018 and 10th April, 2019 respectively. However, the impact of just two meetings have been substantial and the list of the achievements in respect of public traffic management in NCT of Delhi have been presented before the Hon‟ble Committee and also included in the instant Action Taken Note. (iii) The argument that HS being extremely busy cannot do justice to the HPC is not valid since the HPC meetings are conducted only a few times in a year and there is no undue pressure of these meetings on HS‟s schedule.

2.1.3 The other recommendation of the Hon‟ble Committee that a representative from the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRB) should be included in the HPC has been complied with. A copy of the Order dated 28.02.2020 is at Annexure-I.

Further Recommendation

2.1.4 The Committee takes note of the intention of the Ministry that High Powered Committee (HPC) should be headed by Home Secretary and that in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee on Home Affairs, the composition of HPC has been modified by including Members Secretary, National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRB) as a member in the HPC by issuing an order in this regard on 28th February, 2020 .

2.2 Municipal Corporations/Council of Delhi

Recommendation

2.2.1 The Committee observes that parking spaces planned by SDMC are not enough given the rapidly increasing population and number of vehicles. It, therefore, recommends that SDMC make provisions for creation of additional parking spaces to address the problem of parking crunch in the foreseeable future. To promote non-motorized transport and multi-modal integration, SDMC should increase the number of e- rickshaws, pay and use bicycles, etc. in the area. (Para 3.9.14 ibid) Action Taken

2.2.2 Multi-level parking in Lajpat Nagar market with capacity of 246 ECS undertaken by South MCD will be functional by 31st March, 2020. Valet parking is being run on DUSIB land in Lajpat Nagar II, which is being used to park the cars of the shopkeepers and is also available for the shoppers. Parking Area Management Plan (PAMP) of Lajpat Nagar market planned and implemented by SDMC. PAMP for residential area has been prepared and is being implemented for Lajpat Nagar-III as per the orders of the Hon‟ble Supreme Court.

2.2.3 SDMC has also informed that 12 e-rickshaws are deployed for the shoppers to commute between metro station and the market.

Further Recommendation

2.2.4 The Committee notes the reply given by the Ministry.

2.3 Improvement in Parking

Recommendation

2.3.1 The Committee is aware that technology and innovation in the niche industry space of automated and multilevel parking systems (MLCPs) may address the problem of clogging parking spaces. The concept of MLCP refers to the system of automatically parking and retrieving vehicles using an extensive intelligent system of lifts, pallets, and sensors. Delivering advantages such as time and fuel savings, space saving, and safety, MLCPs can be solution to parking and traffic management problems. (Para 4.2.4 ibid)

2.3.2 However, the Committee feels that time taken in parking vehicles in Multi-level Car Parking (MLCP) is little more than parking at surface parking. Therefore, the Committee recommends that MLCP should be made less time consuming. Even the automated ones like MLCP at Sarojini Nagar needs to be modified to make it attractive. (Para 4.2.8 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.3 North MCD has informed that the matter of installation of automatically parking and retrieving vehicles using an extensive intelligent system of lifts, pallets and sensors etc. in multilevel parking at Kamla Nagar is under operation and at other multilevel sites will be made functional after directing the contractors. Multi level parking with capacity of 12,301 ECS (equivalent car space) at North DMC plots and Metro plots has been undertaken by North DMC.

2.3.4 East MCD has informed that EDMC is making all efforts to create more parking spaces for movement and to accommodate forever increasing number of vehicles. At present, EDMC has allotted surface parking lots at 60 sites in different areas for accommodating 13,200 vehicles and 30 more surface parking spaces have been identified to accommodate about 6000 vehicles. Apart from surface parking, one multilevel parking at Krishna Nagar having capacity of 200 ECS has been completed recently and opened for public. Tenders for construction of 3 multilevel car parking at Babarpur Road, Geeta Colony and at Nand Nagri with capacity of 645 ECS have been received and work is likely to be awarded by 31st March, 2020. These parking lots are likely to be completed within one year. Tenders for construction of 2 more multilevel parking at Preet Vihar and GT Road Apsara Border having capacity 579 ECS are under preparation on PPP Model and work will be taken up accordingly.

2.3.5 NDMC has informed that the work relating to finalizing technology for MLCPs in future is being looked into. In so far as the MLCP at Sarojini Nagar is concerned, already there is an agreement with the concessionaire which includes the technology. However, the Concessionaire will be asked to make some modifications within the existing infrastructure so that the consumer takes less time in parking and retrieval of vehicle.

Further Recommendation

2.3.6 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Lajpat Nagar (Market Area and Residential Area)

Recommendation

2.3.7 The Committee notes that Lajpat Nagar area encompasses both market area as well as residential areas. It also notes the various measures undertaken by the SDMC for easing the worsening traffic situation in both the areas. The Committee appreciates the move of the SDMC to engage the Lajpat Nagar Market Association in its efforts to ease out the traffic congestion in the Lajpat Nagar Market. The Committee feels that this move will cast positive impact on the grim situation as it will result in better management of the parking spaces, curbing the illegal parking mafia and providing facilities to the commuters and shopkeepers like e-rickshaw facility and free valet Parking facility.

(Para 4.2.23 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.8 SDMC acknowledges the appreciation made by the Hon‟ble Members of the Committee. SDMC is committed in its endeavour to ease out the worsening traffic situation in its jurisdiction by implementing the Parking Area Management Plan for enhancing the „ease of living‟ in the area.

Further Recommendation

2.3.9 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.3.10 The Committee notes the measures taken by the SDMC towards implementation of the Parking Area Management Plan for developing 700 on-surface parking spaces. One hundred fifty parking places have been added on a land handed over by DMRC near Lajpat Nagar metro station for 14 providing free valet parking to shopkeepers. The Committee recommends that parking Area Management Plan should also be strictly implemented for the added spaces to utilize the space efficiently. (Para 4.2.24 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.11 SDMC has informed that Parking Management Area Plan is being implemented in the area.

Further Recommendation

2.3.12 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.3.13 The Committee notices that Multi-level Car Parking for around 250 car spaces has been envisaged as a medium-term plan as it would take time for completion and implementation as many stages are involved in the process. The Committee recommends that the timeline decided for completion should be strictly adhered to and audit should be done at regular intervals to monitor the status of completion of the MLCP. (Para 4.2.25 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.14 SDMC has informed that construction of Multi-level Car Parking (capacity 246 ECS) is under way. The project is expected to be completed by 31st March, 2020.

Further Recommendation

2.3.15 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.3.16 The Committee is deeply concerned at the huge gap in demand and availability of parking spaces as it was reported that more than 1572 cars had to be parked outside on the roads/back-lane of the plots. The Committee observes that taking on board the trend of exponential increase in vehicle volumes with passage of time, this gap between the stagnant number of parking space and increasing demand for parking space will widen. The Committee also feels that there will be a requirement of more parking spaces to meet the future demand for parking. The Committee strongly recommends that efforts should be made to complete the construction of the proposed multi-level parking at the earliest in order to meet the ever growing demand. (Para 4.2.26 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.17 SDMC has informed that construction of Multi-level Car Parking (capacity 246) is being done. The project is expected to be completed by 31st March, 2020.

Further Recommendation

2.3.18 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.3.19 The Committee appreciates the plan for better vehicular circulation and parking whereby, some roads have been identified and earmarked for easy movement of vehicles in case of emergency. However, the Committee earnestly feels that carriageways, roads, streets and back-lane of the plots 75 in the localities should not be used for parking purpose as it results in reduction of space for easy movement of traffic, induces congestion and restricts free movement of vehicles in case of emergency.

(Para 4.2.27 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.20 SDMC will enforce Parking Area Management Plan made for Lajpat Nagar III. Emergency Vehicle movement has been given the utmost priority in the plan made for the area.

Further Recommendation

2.3.21 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.3.22 Keeping in view of the various aspects placed before it, the Committee feels that a pragmatic approach to tackle the situation has to be taken. Although, the short term plan may be implemented for easing the present traffic situation, a broad and well visioned approach taking into account all the factors should be contemplated. The Committee recommends that concerted and continuous efforts should be made towards easing the present traffic situation. Every option must be explored for constructing multi-level automated parking to meet the future demand of Lajpat Nagar market area.

(Para 4.2.28 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.23 SDMC has informed that multi-level parking with capacity of 246 ECS will be functional by 31st March, 2020.

Further Recommendation

2.3.24 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Nehru Place

Recommendation

2.3.25 The Committee notes that the locality has insufficient space for traffic dispersal and all the open spaces have been taken over by parking and therefore vehicular movement in the area has been severely affected. (Para 4.2.34 ibid)

2.3.26 The Committee notes that request for proposals for both the stages have been issued and the agencies to carry out the work envisaged in Phase-1 and Phase-2 have been selected. The Committee recommends that regular monitoring of the work and concerted efforts should be made at appropriate level so that the plan would be completed as per the timelines. (Para 4.2.35 ibid) 16

Action Taken

2.3.27 DDA has taken up the following Traffic Improvement Plan of Nehru Place:

(i) For convenience of metro users a skywalk connectivity from Nehru Place metro station(on purple line) to podium area of Nehru Place. (ii) Up-gradation of circulation roads, footpaths and surface parking areas. (iii) Provision of multi-level car parking infrastructure in existing surface parking space at one location for 676 Cars and 150 Two Wheelers. (iv) Improvement for pedestrians by way of lifts, escalators, toilet facilities, wi-fi, etc.

2.3.28 Work for up gradation of main plaza area and surface parking, circulation roads etc. has been awarded on Oct-2019 and will be completed in 18 months.

Further Recommendation

2.3.29 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Connaught Place

Recommendation

2.3.30 The Committee observes that due to paucity of land in the Connaught place area, the addition of more parking space by way of building Multi-level Parking is less probable. The Committee recommends the possibility of underground parking for the area at a suitable location should be explored. (Para 4.2.51 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.31 NDMC has informed that the underground parking in Connaught Place were to be constructed in the Inner Circle as well as below the parking area in front of blocks. But during the implementation of Redevelopment of Connaught Place Project during 2009-2019, the same was not allowed by the New Delhi Traders Association and DMRC due to underneath tunnel in vicinity.

Further Recommendation

2.3.32 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.3.33 The Committee appreciates the work done by NDMC in managing the available parking facilities in the area. The Smart Parking Management System being implemented in the North of Rajpath is working efficiently. The Committee therefore recommends that the same system should be applied to the other areas of Connaught Place to have effective parking management of the whole area.

(Para 4.2.52 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.34 NDMC has informed that the Smart Parking Management System being managed in the North of Rajpath is equally applicable in the areas of Connaught Place and around. For the remaining 17 areas of NDMC a RPF on the similar lines was floated. However, it could not fetch any eligible bidder. The NDMC is working on modification in the RFP and thereafter fresh efforts will be made to float the RFP.

Further Recommendation

2.3.35 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.3.36 The Committee appreciates the efforts made by the authorities for construction of NMT Lanes, cycle docking stations and providing cycles as an effort to provide last mile connectivity to the metro stations. (Para 4.2.54 ibid) Action taken

2.3.37 NDMC has informed that the seamless connectivity for pedestrian walkway / footpath and dedicated cycle tracks along the Avenue roads are to be planned in NDMC area. The roundabouts and intersections will be retrofitted as a part of seamless connectivity for pedestrian, women, senior citizen etc and cyclist alongwith universal accessibility. The dedicated bicycle tracks are also being considered as per the site feasibility. NDMC has already started the Public Bike Sharing System in NDMC area. At present Metro Stations, commercial complexes, major markets, heritage / important buildings, tourist destinations, parks, religion places, schools and residential area are considered for installation of Smart Bike Stations and further more dense smart bike stations will be provided to make complete close network of last mile connectivity.

Further Recommendation

2.3.38 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.3.39 Therefore, the Committee strongly recommends to improve pedestrian path and cycling zone in Delhi and NCR so as to increase non-motorized travel and reduce motor vehicles travel which will not only help to reduce carbon but will also promote healthy lifestyle and improve physical activity.

(Para 4.2.55 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.40 NDMC has started that the Public Bike Sharing System in NDMC area by providing 500 Nos. State of Art Bicycles consisting important features like Gender friendly, GPS enabled and easy gear for smooth ride, in NDMC area. 49 Smart Bicycle Stations are setup through Private concessionaire on PPP Model for last mile connectivity as pick and use points / facility at all the stations. The project is running successfully and satisfactorily. There are about one lakh active users.

2.3.41 East DMC has informed that considering the density of population about 40000 per sq. km and geographical condition of EDMC it is not feasible to construct cycle track and pedestrian spaces on roads having ROW less than 60 feet.

2.3.42 DDA has informed that in 1st Phase 16 km stretch, in Metro Corridor of sec-12 & 13 and identified stretch up to NSIT, has been selected for laying side walks and facilities of non-motorized Transport (NMT) Cycle Track, providing the tactile tiles as round surface indicator for visually impaired persons. The work is in progress for 1st phase and will be completed by 15th June 2020.

Further Recommendation

2.3.43 The Committee takes note of the reply the Ministry.

Karol Bagh

Recommendation

2.3.44 The Committee notes that work on some of the tasks envisaged under the plans like for the stretch from Pusa Road to Arya Samaj Road and the stretch from Arya Samaj Road to D.B. Gupta 77 Road have been developed for the use of pedestrians while other works are at the implementation stage. (Para 4.2.67 ibid) 2.3.45 The Committee recommends that the task pertaining to Ajmal Khan road pedestrianization and One-way Traffic circulation system by Traffic Police for which action is pending on the part of Transport Department and Traffic Police be expedited to ensure its completion in a time bound manner. (Para 4.2.68 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.46 Delhi Traffic Police has informed that the project regarding pedestrianization of Karol Bagh market area has been mooted by North DMC. As far as Delhi Traffic Police is concerned, notification regarding restriction of parking of all types of vehicles on Ajmal Khan Road from Pusa Road Junction to Desh Bandhu Gupta Road Junction has already been issued by Delhi Traffic Police on 22.05.2019 and the same is being implemented on ground. One way traffic circulation plan on Tank Road, Padam Singh Road, Hardhyan Singh Road and Pyare Lal Road is also being run on trial basis to ascertain the impact of the one way traffic circulation and to know the response and acclimatization of road users and local resentments to the new scheme. Notification to this effect shall be issued as per the response and acceptance of the new scheme by road users. Adequate numbers of traffic police personnel are deployed along with Civil Defence volunteers for regulating traffic in the area.

Further Recommendation

2.3.47 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Krishna Nagar Market

Recommendation

2.3.48 The Committee appreciates the initiatives of the EDMC in involving Market Associations and RWAs in the implementation of the plan and holding regular consultations in their endeavor to run the trial successfully. (Para 4.2.76 ibid)

2.3.49 The Committee recommends that innovative measures may be taken such as enhancing parking charges for longer parking in line with parking rules in Central London and linking the purchase of vehicles with the availability of Parking spaces in house/accommodation. (Para 4.2.77 ibid)

2.3.50 The Committee also recommends that for the areas where at-grade parking is not feasible, a proposal for building underground parking on a large scale should be mooted to meet the parking space requirement of these areas. (Para 4.2.78 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.51 EDMC has informed that they are making all efforts to create more parking spaces for movement and to accommodate forever increasing number of vehicles. At present, EDMC has allotted surface parking lots at 60 sites in different areas for accommodating 13,200 vehicles and 30 more surface parking spaces have been identified to accommodate about 6,000 vehicles. Apart from surface parking, one multilevel parking at Krishna Nagar having capacity of 200 ECS has been completed recently and opened for public. Tenders for construction of 3 multilevel car parking at Babarpur Road, Geeta Colony and at Nand Nagri for capacity of 645 ECS have been received and work is likely to be awarded by 31.03.2020. These parking lots are likely to be completed within one year. Tenders for construction of 2 more multilevel parking at Preet Vihar and GT Road Apsara Border having capacity 579 ECS are under preparation on PPP Model and work will be taken up accordingly.

Further Recommendation

2.3.52 The Committee takes note of the efforts made by EDMC in filling up the gap of demand and available parking spaces in the area, by identifying more spaces for surface parking and construction of five multilevel Car parking in the area.

Drafting of Parking Rules

Recommendation

2.3.53 The Committee hopes that the parking rules will be implemented by the urban local bodies in right earnest to improve the worsening traffic situation and to fix the loopholes in the present parking system of the city. (Para 4.2.83 ibid) Action Taken

2.3.54 The Transport Department had already notified the “Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules-2019” on 23rd September, 2019.

Further Recommendation

2.3.55 The Committee notes of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.3.56 The Committee is aware of the Orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that vehicles (Diesel/Petrol) which are more than 10/15 years cannot ply on Delhi roads and are to be phased out. The Committee expresses its displeasure and recommends strongly that effective enforcement is needed to track and impound vehicles as per the orders of NGT. (Para 4.2.85 ibid) 20

Action Taken

2.3.57 Transport Department/ GNCTD has informed that the teams deployed in the field have already been directed to take strict action against such vehicles which are found plying on roads and are more than 10 years old in case of diesel vehicles and more than 15 years old in case of petrol vehicles. So far 452 numbers of such vehicles have been impounded since 2015. The teams are directed to make the action more intensive in future.

2.3.58 Delhi Police has informed that special drives are regularly conducted by Delhi Traffic Police to prosecute old age vehicles (10/15 years old diesel/petrol vehicles) found plying on Delhi roads. During the year 2019, a total of 337 such de-registered motor vehicles were prosecuted and impounded by traffic police. It is a continuous ongoing process to prosecute such offenders by enforcement officers of Delhi Traffic Police and the same is rigorously enforced.

Further Recommendation

2.3.59 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

2.4 Retrofitting of 100 Junctions and 77 Identified Corridors

Recommendation

2.4.1 The Committee takes note of the work done at various locations like improvement at Adchini T. Point, PTS Chowk like construction of slip roads, relocation of the CNG stations and installation of iron grills and relocation of bus stops, etc. (Para 4.3.13 ibid) Action Taken

2.4.2 Delhi Traffic Police has informed that as regards 77 identified corridors, the matter is regularly taken up by DCsP/Traffic Ranges, who are the convener of the Task Force teams for their respective areas of jurisdiction, with the PWD and other concerned agencies to get the tasks completed as per specified timelines indicated by the agencies. Review meetings are also convened by Special CP/Traffic on regular basis with all concerned agencies to review the progress made by the agencies for completion of the identified tasks. During these meetings, the agencies are also requested to complete the identified tasks as per the timelines set by them. Overall status of the tasks on these 77 corridors is as follows:-

Cate-gory ‘A’ Cate-gory ‘B’ Cate-gory ‘C’ Total Completed 162 51 29 242 Regular & Continuous Action 37 12 9 58 Not found feasible 56 22 15 93 Under progress/ pending 95 80 52 227 Total 350 165 105 620

2.4.3 PWD, Delhi has informed that they carry out the improvement of junctions and corridors under its jurisdiction to the best possible for traffic/pedestrian movements in consultation with Delhi Traffic Police and the current status and targets are as under:-

2.4.4 The high number of road accidents are not only due to faulty design of roads/intersection but also due to many other reasons like not following traffic rules, crossing the road at any location, frequent lane changing by two wheelers, rash driving bikes without helmets, etc. Delhi has the most mixed traffic on roads and nobody follow lane movement. Indian Academy of Highway Engineers 21

(IAHE) under MoRTH has engaged M/s Medulla Soft Technologies Pvt. Ltd as consultants to study roads of Delhi with following objectives:

Short Term Objectives

(i) Identification of major traffic bottlenecks, testing and evaluating solutions. (ii) Junction design improvements including universal accessibility and safety features. (iii) Study of 128 accident prone locations (black spots) along with mitigation measures. (iv) Improved integration of Transit stations (metro, railways, major bus stops) and important activity centers for universal access, safe passage, non-motorized transport (NMT) and intermediate public transport (IPT) management. (v) Junction level signal optimization and Corridor level signal synchronization. (vi) Improved pedestrian, NMT and IPT mobility at locations where the modes are heavily used. (vii) Identification of issues due to on street parking at key locations, and investigation of potential solutions.

Medium and long term Objectives

(i) Testing, evaluation and optimization of all upcoming infrastructure development projects to ensure maximum efficiency and elimination of any lacunae at design stage. (ii) Proposals for grade separation and capacity enhancement where required (based on study of traffic bottlenecks, upcoming land use, etc.). (iii) Study and recommendations on transit corridors. (iv) Detailed objectives, requirements and expected performance of ITS solutions. (v) Reduction of emissions. (vi) Planning towards encouraging modal shift to Public Transportation. (vii) Parking policies.

2.4.5 The study included 120 corridors consisting on 783 Km of roads and 918 major intersections. Retrofitting work on the basis of this study will start after acceptance of report and approval from Traffic Police and other concerned authority. The work of streetscaping of seven stretches of roads on trial basis have also been taken up by PWD in which the improvement of intersections, islands, central verge etc. are being undertaken. The consultants for the streetscaping work have already been appointed and tenders have been received for execution of work.

Further Recommendation

2.4.6 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

2.5 Complete Street Design for Dwarka Streets

Recommendation

2.5.1 The Committee understands the importance of non-motorized mode of transport in terms of reducing pressure of vehicles on the roads. The Committee knows that in order to harness the benefit of non-motorized transport, infrastructure has to be developed to encourage the non-motorized mode of transport so that it can duly supplement the increasing pressure on the motorized forms of transport.

(Para 4.4.8 ibid)

2.5.2 The Committee notes the timeline provided for completion of retrofitting of 70 Kms. of roads. The Committee observes that work was contemplated to be done in three phases. The Committee notes that as per the timeline first phase has been started from October, 2019 and the work would be completed by July, 2020. (Para 4.4.9 ibid)

Action Taken

2.5.3 DDA has informed that as instructed by the High Powered Committee for Traffic Management of NCT of Delhi, in 1st Phase 16 km stretch, in Metro Corridor of sec-12 & 13 and identified stretch up to NSIT, has been selected in consultation with knowledge partner, HPC for laying sidewalks and facilities of non-motorized Transport (NMT) Cycle Track, providing the tactile tiles as round surface indicator for visually impaired persons. Some new roads, improvement of intersection, path connection and Ramp wherever required is also considered. The work is in progress for 1st phase and will be completed by 15th June 2020.

Further Recommendation

2.5.4 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Bicycle sharing Scheme

Recommendation

2.5.5 The Committee takes note of the plan by the SDMC to develop 250 bicycle stations at various locations in Dwarka area for accommodating 2000 bicycles having advance features like GPS, location devices to ensure safety of the cycles against theft for use within the Dwarka Area. The Committee hopes that the target date for introducing cycle sharing scheme i.e. September, 2020 should be met without time and cost overrun. (Para 4.4.17 ibid) Action Taken

2.5.6 DDA has informed that the tender for RFP for hiring of service provider for sharing of Bicycle system at Dwarka, New Delhi to undertake Design, Construction, Procurement, Installation, Testing, Operations, Maintenance and Management of the public Bicycle Share System was invited on 15th June, 2019. The pre-bid meeting was held on 27th June, 2019 but unfortunately no bid was received on the date of opening i.e 08th August, 2019. After carrying out some modifications, now the revised bid documents for this work are being uploaded.

Further Recommendation

2.5.7 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

2.6 Rationalization of Buses And Enhancing the Present Fleet of Buses

Recommendation

2.6.1 The Committee hopes that the timeline decided for 1000 Standard Floor height Non-AC CNG buses would be met by the Government of Delhi. Regarding, 1000 Low Floor height CNG AC buses, the committee took cognizance of the difficulties being faced in the process of induction of 600 buses 23 under cluster scheme viz. due to court case and not getting enough response from the bidder. The Committee notes that the induction of 250 buses depends solely on the outcome of the cases. The Committee also notes the efforts being made by the Government to make the scheme more lucrative for the bidder by dividing the bid into two parts. However, the Committee strongly feels that in addition to dividing the bid into two parts, the terms of the bid should also be revised to attract interest of the bidders. (Para 4.5.6 ibid) Action Taken

2.6.2 Transport Department/ GNCTD has informed that the Cluster consisting of 350 low floor buses was divided into two clusters namely Cluster 16A CLF & 16B CLF. The composition of these two clusters is as under:

Sl. Cluster No. Depot Name Number of buses to be No. inducted 1 16A CLF Ghuman Hera-I 160 2 16B CLF Ghuman Hera-II 190 Total 350

2.6.3 Transport Department invited separate bids for the aforesaid clusters. The technical bids were opened on 03.01.2020. Only 2 bids under Cluster 16A CLF & 1 bid under 16B CLF were received. The tender is at technical evaluation stage as on date.

2.6.4 Cluster Branch will consider the recommendations of the Committee to revisit the terms of the bid document(s) to attract interest of the bidders.

Further Recommendation

2.6.5 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.6.6 The Committee notes that the process of induction of 1000 buses for DTC has started and the tenders have been floated, the technical evaluation is under process and the induction of buses depends upon successful technical evaluation of the proposals. The Committee hopes that the timeline of February 2020 set for rolling out of the buses would be met. (Para 4.5.8 ibid) Action Taken

2.6.7 Transport Department, GNCTD has informed that the tenders floated by DTC for 1000 low floor air-conditioned CNG buses and 300 pure electric air-conditioned low floor buses (under FAME- II Scheme) could not yield any responsive bids and, as such, both the tenders were foreclosed/cancelled by DTC Board. The bid documents are being revived by the officers of DTC and fresh bids will be invited by DTC shortly.

Further Recommendation

2.6.8 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.6.9 The Committee suggests that the ‘ONE DELHI’app will be useful if it is applicable on multimodal basis covering all the public transports and providing the information on real-time basis. The Committee notes that the application uses mobile data and recommends that a strong data network should be put in place for seamless usage of the application. (Para 4.5.12 ibid) Action Taken

2.6.10 Transport Department and DTC has already signed Master Service Agreement(s) with M/s Telecommunications Consultants India Limited on 03.01.2020 for installation of CCTV, Panic Buttons and GPS devices (Vehicle Tracking System) in all the existing DTC and Cluster buses. The project inter-alia includes establishment of State of the Art Control & Command Center for monitoring of 11000 buses and all the buses are equipped with these devices within 7 months from the date of the signing of agreement(s).

2.6.11 The new 724 buses inducted under the cluster scheme during the last 3 months are already equipped with CCTV, Panic Buttons and GPS devices. As such, the information of buses on real time basis can be implemented in totality with respect to DTC and Cluster bus operations. One such App relating to cluster buses is already in operation through Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System Ltd. (DIMTS).

Further Recommendation

2.6.12 The Committee takes note of the reply from the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.6.13 The Committee hopes that the plan to augment the strength of its existing fleet of buses would reduce the private vehicular population on roads. (Para 4.5.15 ibid) Action Taken

2.6.14 Transport Department, GNCTD has informed that it is expected that the augmented fleet of modern low floor air-conditioned buses under the DTC and Cluster scheme would definitely reduce the private vehicle population on roads.

Further Recommendation

2.6.15 The Committee takes note of the reply by the Ministry.

2.7 IT Based Management of Traffic

Recommendation

2.7.1 The Committee appreciates the technological interventions made in smooth movement of traffic, checking road accidents and disciplining of motorists. However, the Committee cautions the Government that a single yardstick should not be used for all the roads and intersections for limiting

25 the speed of the vehicles otherwise it is seen that speed limits of 50 Km/hr at a flyover will only slowdown the traffic leading to congestion instead. (Para 4.6.15 ibid) Action Taken

2.7.2 Delhi Traffic Police has informed that in order to review the existing speed limits on various Delhi Roads and to suggest changes, if any, required keeping in view the existing traffic scenario on Delhi roads, a Committee has been constituted by CP Delhi in October 2019, under the chairmanship of Spl. CP/Traffic comprising expert members from CRRI, SPA, IIT Delhi, WRI and members from Transport Department and other senior Traffic Police officers. First meeting of the Committee was convened on 19th December, 2019 to start the process of review of existing speed limits on Delhi roads.

Further Recommendation

2.7.3 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.7.4 The Committee also appreciates the move for acquiring the portable tripod mounted Radar Speed guns as it would ensure maintenance of discipline amongst the vehicle drivers on roads where the Gantry-mounted Radar based Over Speed Detection System has not been put in place. The Committee, however, recommends that plan should be made to cover the area/roads where the Gantry- mounted system has not been put in place to avoid accidents due to over speeding by drivers on these roads. (Para 4.6.16 ibid) Action Plan

2.7.5 Delhi Traffic Police has procured 55 more Portable Radar Speed Guns taking the total numbers to 110. These Radar Guns are deployed to prosecute motorists found indulging in over speeding on high speed corridors.

Further Recommendation

2.7.6 The Committee notes that 55 more Portable Radar Speed Guns have been procured for deployment at high speed corridors to identify the motorists indulging in overspeeding and their subsequent prosecution. The Committee is of the view that assessment of road stretches where Portable Radar Speed Guns would be placed may be made and such more number of Portable Radar Speed Guns should be procured and deployed at such road stretches.

Recommendation

2.7.7 The Committee strongly recommends that issuance of final Notification for making it mandatory to capture contact details of the vehicle owners at the time of pollution checking be ensured by the timeline of November, 2020. The Committee also recommends that all Vahan databases should be linked to all the possible sources through which the mobile numbers of the vehicles can be captured. The Committee specifically suggests to the Government to take up the issue with Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)/ Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIB) for capturing the mobile number of the vehicle owners and linking of the same with the Vahan Database.

(Para 4.6.21 ibid) 26

Action Taken

2.7.8 Transport Department, GNCTD had already issued a notification dated 17th October, 2019 vide which new clause has been added as under:

“The person availing the pollution checking facility shall provide the mobile (cell phone) number of registered owner of the motor vehicle at the time of pollution checking and pollution checking centre shall record the same correctly in its data base.”

2.7.9 The Vahan Data Base is linked to all possible sources through which Mobile number of the Vehicle can be captured. 2.7.10 Delhi Traffic Police has informed that during the meetings held with IRDA/IIB, the Delhi Traffic Police has requested IRDA/IIB for linking of the mobile numbers of the registered owners of the vehicles with the Vahan data base.

Further Recommendation

2.7.11 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry

Recommendation

2.7.12 The Committee observes that One-Way Scheme on 17 roads have been identified on the basis of a joint study carried out in association with the World Resource Institute. The Committee hopes that the pilot project will be successful and the timeline of December, 2019 for completion of the project will be met. (Para 4.6.23ibid) Action Taken

2.7.13 Delhi Traffic Police has informed that out of the 17 roads / road stretches identified for introduction of „One Way‟ Schemes, Delhi Traffic Police has introduced „One Way‟ Schemes at 9 roads / road stretches whereas at 6 roads / road stretches the scheme was dropped as the same was not found feasible from traffic point of view. As regards remaining 2 roads / road stretches, the studies are under progress by WRI, India.

Further Recommendation

2.7.14 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

2.8 Contribution of Metro in Reducing Vehicles on Roads

Recommendation

2.8.1 The Committee acknowledges the contribution of the Delhi Metro in reducing the number of private vehicles on the Delhi roads and recommends that metro network needs to be extended to cover those areas in Delhi which have no connectivity to public transport or public transport is not the viable option forcing the people to use cars for their daily travel.

(Para 4.7.11 ibid)

Action Taken

2.8.2 DMRC has informed that Metro lines are planned as per Metro Rail Policy considering a variety of factors like demand, capacity, cost and ease of implementation. Presently, approximately 347.97 km having 253 stations of DMRC network is operational in Delhi and NCR (excluding NMRC and Rapid Metro Gurugram lines). Under Phase-IV of Delhi Metro,3 priority corridors of 61.679 km (48 stations) km have been sanctioned and 3 more corridors of 42.26 km (33 stations) are under consideration. Work on 3 sanctioned corridors already started in November, 2019.

Further Recommendation

2.8.3 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.8.4 The Committee observes that the metro have been attracting only the population near the stations. This is largely due to lack of last mile connectivity. The Committee therefore, recommends that DMRC should provide subsidized transport service for bringing people to its stations from upto 3- 4 Kms. Further DMRC needs to reduce its parking rates at metro stations for metro commuters. The revenue thus lost may then be compensated through other sources like advertisements, amenities etc., at its parking places, train coaches, metro stations and on metro rails. (Para 4.7.12 ibid) Action Taken

2.8.5 DMRC has informed that passenger fares of metro feeder buses are fixed by State Transport Authority (STA)/GNCTD which are nominal. Further, DMRC is going to introduce 100 MIDI Air Conditioned Electric low floor buses for which 2 operators have already been finalized. For introduction of these 100 e-buses on 10 feeder routes, the fare for these services shall be as fixed by STA and shall need be subsidised by DMRC. These buses would therefore be subsidized services to passengers and would add convenience to the metro commuters in their last mile needs.

2.8.6 Regarding reduction in parking rates at metro stations, the same are already on lower side as compared to other civic agencies like NDMC, EDMC and SDMC.

Further Recommendation

2.8.7 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

2.9 Impact of Odd-Even scheme on Delhi Roads

Recommendation

2.9.1 The Committee, therefore, strongly recommends that a study should be conducted at the earliest on the impact of Odd-Even Scheme on easing congestion on roads of Delhi and on pollution, if no such study has been conducted. (Para 4.7.14 ibid) Action Taken

2.9.2 M/s. DIMTS has conducted a study on the traffic assessment impact of „Odd-Even‟ scheme – 2019 on the request of Transport Department. 28

2.9.3 Major findings of the study are as under:

(i) Traffic data analysis indicated that during Odd –Even Scheme, about 30% personal car traffic reduced on road. However there was increase of 6.5% in 2 wheeler traffic, 19.5% in Taxi, 7.5% in Auto and 4.7%% in Buses. (ii) The analysis indicates that net impact of traffic reduction on various roads in terms of total volumes ranges from 1% to18% as shown below. Highest impact of traffic reduction was seen on GT road (-18.1%) followed by Noida Link road (-15.4%). (iii) It has been estimated that average increase in the daily Bus ridership during scheme was about 2.8 Lakh amounting to about 5.39% increase. Similarly average increase in the daily Metro ridership was recorded about 1.7 Lakh amounting to about 3% increase in Metro journeys. Overall, total increase in the daily Public Transport (PT) ridership was about 4.5 Lakh amounting to 4.2% increase in PT journeys during the Odd Even period (iv) It is determined that due to reduction in traffic, average speed on road increased between 2% and 15% on various major roads in Delhi (v) It has been determined that incidences having speed less than 5 kmph reduced from 13.7% to 12.4% and incidences having speed between 5-10 kmph reduced from 13% to 11.3%. On the other hand, incidences having speed more than 30 kmph increased from 21.2% to 24.1% showing lesser congestion during odd-even scheme implementation. (vi) traffic queue length at junctions were substantially lower during odd-even compared to normal days.

Further Recommendation

2.9.4 The Committee notes reply of the Ministry.

2.10 Multi-Modal Integration and Management of Traffic and Parking at Metro Stations

Recommendation

2.10.1 The Committed is of the opinion that the tasks of these types of multitude level need advance and continuous planning and monitoring. The Committee is of the opinion that with the expansion of metro rail network the cascading effects come into play which in many ways affect the social surroundings. The better facilities at the metro rail network, multi-modal integration and parking facilities for vehicle at the metro stations encourage commuters to opt for public transports and discourage the use of private vehicle for long distances. The infrastructure development around the metro stations for facilitating the metro rail users like making provision of pedestrian skywalks to connect markets plazas, etc., goes a long way in decongesting the roads as it provides better and comfortable option to commute in comparison to the use of personal vehicles. (Para 4.8.10 ibid) Action Taken

2.10.2 Initially MMI planswere prepared and finalised by UTTIPEC when the Phase-III metro lines were under construction.

2.10.3 Further, DMRC has modified the MMI plans and prepared the conceptual MMIplan of 59 metro stations of Phase-III based on the latest Total Station Survey (TSS) of the area and as per the ground reality and submitted again to UTTIPEC on 01.02.2020 for consideration and issuance.

2.10.4 Out of 59 metro stations, UTTIPEC has issued the Conceptual MMI Plans of 40 metro stations on 02.01.2020. Remaining 19 conceptual MMI plans will also be issued shortly.

Further Recommendation

2.10.5 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.10.6 The Committee, therefore, recommends that special lanes and areas away from the main roads should be demarcated for picking and dropping of the passengers near metro station. Similarly, places near/under the bridges should be identified and shelter areas should be created for temporary sheltering of two wheelers and pedestrians so that main roads remain free for smooth movement of traffic.

(Para 4.8.11 ibid) Action Taken

2.10.7 The recommendation of the Committee has been sent to all the stakeholders for consideration and decision.

Further Recommendation

2.10.8 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

2.11 Improving Driving Capacity and the Fitness Capacity of the Vehicles and Establishments of Driver Training Schools

Recommendation

2.11.1 The Committee appreciates the endeavour to construct automated driving track to test the driving skills of the drivers of various types of vehicles. The Committee, however, observes that while designing these test tracks the actual vehicular movement on the roads and other traffic conditions prevailing thereon should be kept in mind as it will be helpful in reducing the number of road accidents. The Committee is of the opinion that fitness of vehicles is one of the most important factors that can impact the traffic flow as well as ensure safety on the roads. The Committee believes that fit vehicles on the roads reduce the number of breakdowns and hence, helps in the smooth flow of traffic.

(Para 4.9.8 ibid) Action Taken

2.11.2 Transport Department, GNCTD has already set up an Automated Vehicle Fitness Center at Jhuljhuli, Delhi where all the passenger buses & luxury taxies are issued fitness certificate after thorough inspection through automated machine.

2.11.3 Further, in this regard, the Transport Department, GNCTD intends to set up 06 Automated Inspection Test lanes at Burari through bidding process. In addition to this, there are 5 automated Inspection lanes at Burari which were functional up to the year 2013. Due to a case registered at Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Delhi, these lanes remained unutilized. The Transport Department intends to make these lanes functional. Since, these lanes are lying unutilized, these may require fitment / replacement of various new equipment / parts for making these lanes functional. 30

Accordingly, Transport Department, GNCTD intends to hire an agency to provide consultancy service and the matter is presently forwarded to Law Department to provide legal opinion.

2.11.4 Auto Rickshaw Unit of Transport Department is granting the fitness to Auto Rickshaws in strict compliance of rules made under Motor Vehicles Act, 1989 and after strictly checking all the prescribed parts of the Auto Rickshaws including Colour, Brakes, Tyres, Body, Steering system, Safety glass, Rear View mirrors, Signaling devices, windscreen wipers, Direction indicators, Electrical system, Indicators, Reflectors, Lamps, Parking light, Horns, Silencer and Stop Lights etc. for the safety of the general public.

2.11.5 With regard to automated test tracks, the recommendations of the Committee has already been incorporated in the designing of the automated test tracks in Delhi. So far, automated test tracks have been set up at five places.

Further Recommendation

2.11.6 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

2.12 Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)

Recommendation

2.12.1 The Committee understands that Delhi being the capital City of India has special issues related to traffic but due to negligence on part of the concerned agencies things have gone worse and if the issues are not addressed in time it will become very tough to address the problem of traffic mismanagement in Delhi. The Committee further observes that innovations and designs of research institutes like IITs, CRRI, etc. have not been solicited in the decision making process while formulating plans for traffic management in Delhi. The Committee therefore, feels that the efforts made by the MHA and concerned agencies in managing traffic issues in Delhi are not enough and there is an urgent need to form a central coordinating agency with an institutional mechanism to prepare holistic plan for traffic management in Delhi which should be inclusive, innovative, sustainable and futuristic. (Para 5.2.8 ibid) Action Taken

2.12.2 The HPC has so far had two meetings on 9th October, 2018 and 10th April, 2019 respectively. However, the impact of just two meetings have been substantial and the list of the achievements in respect of public traffic management in NCT of Delhi have been presented before the Hon‟ble Committee and also included in the instant Action Taken Note. Therefore, setting up of another central coordinating agency may not be the need of the hour.

Further Recommendation

2.12.3 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

2.13 General Observations/recommendations

Recommendation

2.13.1 Some of the major issues with the management of the burgeoning traffic in Delhi are shortage of adequate road space, land not readily available for at-grade and multi-level car parking, inadequate pedestrian pathways & plazas, multi-modal transport mix, huge number of freight vehicles and personal vehicles entering and exiting Delhi from the NCR. A holistic traffic management plan has not been drawn up due to lack of coordination between a plethora of agencies who are directly and indirectly involved. Road spaces in proximity to Metro stations and markets are clogged with a variety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Traffic management presently is a difficult task with hardly any elbow room for planning and execution. Traffic discipline is at a premium with improvement measures too slow to keep pace with increase in vehicles and pedestrian population. Many areas in Delhi have large open spaces some owned by the Government and agencies working under it. If some of these spaces could be freed up then comparatively low-cost solutions for improvement of intersection geometrics, widening of roads & lanes and automatic multi-level car parking & underground car parking could be taken up. In the end analysis land would be the key and many public sector organisations and institutions may be required to part with the excess land being held by them. There may be hurdles in executing such a plan but a beginning should be made based on an objective survey.

(Para 5.3.1 ibid) Action Taken

2.13.2 The recommendations of the Committee have been circulated to all the stakeholders of HPC for further appropriate action.

Further Recommendation

2.13.3 The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.13.4 The Committee strongly recommends that special provisions such as sign boards, ramps, special parking badges, passes should be made for person with special ability so as to have complete universal road infrastructure in Delhi and NCR. (Para 5.3.3 ibid) Action Taken

2.13.5 The recommendations of the Committee have been circulated to all the stakeholders of HPC for further appropriate action.

Further Recommendation

2.13.6 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

Recommendation

2.13.7 Free movement of emergency vehicles is not available at present as emergency vehicles such as ambulances, police cars, fire engines, etc. get stuck in traffic jam and delayed in reaching their destination. It leads to avoidable loss of valuable lives and property. The Committee recommends that 32 the MHA should coordinate with concerned agencies to create dedicated lane/corridor that ensures free passage to emergency vehicles. In case of non availability of dedicated lane/corridor, vehicles on roads must give free passage to ambulances and other emergency vehicles. (Para 5.3.4 ibid) Action Taken

2.13.8 Delhi Traffic Police has been providing green corridors for quick transportation to save lives of patients on the requests received from Hospitals. The recommendations of the Committee have been circulated to all the stakeholders of HPC for further appropriate action.

Further recommendation

2.13.9 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

CHAPTER-III

Recommendations/Observations in respect of which replies of the Government have not been accepted by the Committee

3.1 Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoH&UA)

Recommendation

3.1.1 However, the Committee observes that due to lack of coordination amongst agencies like DDA, DMRC the project on Non Motorized Transport (NMT) on the Delhi roads has not materialised. There is absence of dedicated bicycle tracks on most of the Delhi roads and intersections have not been retrofitted to make them safe and suitable for use by the NMT. Therefore, the Committee recommends that there remains an urgent necessity to strengthen the existing coordination mechanism so that necessary infrastructure like dedicated bicycle tracks, pick and use cycle stations; and interventions at important intersections be developed. (Para 3.4.3 ibid) Action taken

3.1.2 DDA has informed that as instructed by the High Powered Committee (HPC) for Traffic Management in the NCT of Delhi for providing facilities of street design, having pedestrian sidewalks and facilities for non-motorized and public amenities of 70 km of Dwarka Street, in the First Phase 16 km stretch, in Metro Corridor of Sector-12 & 13 Dwarka and identified stretch up to NSIT, has been selected in consultation with knowledge partner to HPC. The facilities will include laying side walks and provision for non-motorized Transport (NMT) Cycle Track, providing the tactile tiles as round surface indicator for visually impaired persons. Some new roads, improvement of intersection, path connection and Ramp wherever required is also considered. The work is in progress for 1st phase and will be completed by 15th June 2020.

3.1.3 DMRC has informed that pedal bicycle sharing services by 5 operators are operational from 21 metro stations. 2 operators are providing battery operated cycle services from 26 metro stations (service yet to be operationalized at few stations). It is planned to extend the service from other stations also.

3.1.4 NDMC has informed that NDMC‟s roads have service lanes along main roads and the footpaths are also wide enough for safe movements of pedestrians and cyclist. The service lanes are comfortable for cycle riders / commuters at present. The seamless connectivity for pedestrian walkway / footpath and dedicated cycle tracks along the Avenue roads is to be planned in NDMC area. In that, roundabouts and intersections will be retrofitted. The dedicated bicycle tracks are also being considered as per the site feasibility.

Further recommendation

3.1.5 The Committee takes note of the work being undertaken by DDA, DMRC and NDMC like work of improvement of 16 Km road stretch between Dwarka sector 12 and 13 and identified stretch up to NSIT by DDA. The Committee hopes that the works would be completed as per the schedule and all the metro stations would be covered in near future. However, the Committee is pained to note that MHA has not furnished any information on the steps taken for better coordination amongst different agencies for smooth execution of work. The Committee reiterates its recommendation at para 3.4.3 on the need to strengthen the existing coordination mechanism for development of necessary infrastructure. 34

3.2 Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

Recommendation

3.2.1 The Committee is of the view that although Delhi metro has expanded rapidly but still lots of work needs to be done to ensure last mile connectivity to metro stations. The DMRC needs to undertake multi-modal integration measures at all metro stations. Furthermore, to address the rapidly increasing population and urbanization around Delhi, the DMRC also needs to take measures like increasing fleet of metro trains, increasing frequencies of trips, rationalization of ticket rates, raising awareness among people to use metro as it is the best available alternate mode of public transportation in Delhi. (Para 3.6.4 ibid) Action Taken

3.2.2 DMRC has informed the action taken as under:

(i) Last mile connectivity

Though the subject falls in the ambit of concerned State Transport Authorities, concerted efforts are being made at DMRC to provide means of last mile connection to the commuters in Delhi/NCR. For the purpose, a wholly owned subsidiary company of DMRC “Delhi Metro Last Mile Services Limited” is registered on 13th April, 2018. Various activities towards last mile connectivity undertaken by DMRC are as under:

Metro Feeder Buses

Presently, 174 MIDI feeder CNG Non-AC buses are being run on 32 STA approved routes which connect 70 metro stations. DMRC is also in the process of deploying 100 AC e-buses to be operated on 10 new routes. Procurement order has already been placed in December, 2019 and the e-buses are expected to be supplied within one year.

E-Rickshaw Services

E-rickshawservices are operational from 15 stations. Operators have been finalized for another 41 stations.

E-Scooter Services

E-Scooter services by DMRC authorized operator are operational from 4 metro stations. The services will soon be initiated from 3 more metro stations.

Cycle Sharing Services

Pedal bicycle sharing services by 5 operators are operational from 21 metro stations. 2 operators are providing battery operated cycle services from 26 metro stations (service yet to be operationalized at few stations). It is planned to extend the service from other stations also.

Cab Aggregator services

As on date, UBER (CAB Aggregator) kiosks are operational from 12 metro stations and it is planned to extend the services from 210 metro stations.

(ii) Multi-modal integration (MMI)

For traffic management around metro stations, DMRC has a multi modal integration plan in place as detailed below:

Kashmere Gate and Chhatarpur Metro Stations

MMI work at these stations has been taken up by DMRC. Work at Chhatarpur station is already commissioned and that at Kashmere Gate station is in progress and scheduled to be completed by June 2020.

Another 96 stations

MMI scheme for another 96 identified stations is proposed to be implemented. The scheme is under finalisation in consultation with UTTIPEC (Unified Traffic And Transportation Infrastructure (Planning &Engineering Centre). The implementation of the scheme will require Rs.496.90 Cr. and involvement of multiple agencies like DMRC, PWD, MCDs etc. DMRC has agreed to finance the cost of implementation in its own premises at a cost of Rs.182.21 Cr. and has approached MoHUA for provision of balance fund of Rs.314.69 Cr. for execution outside DMRC premises.

(iii) Increasing fleet of metro trains and frequency of trips

DMRC has added total 346 train coaches in revenue services from 31st March, 2018 till date to increase the fleet of metro trains and frequency of trips. Currently, 2206 train coaches are running in 10 lines of DMRC.

(iv) Rationalization of ticket rates

Fare structure of Delhi Metro is decided by Fare Fixation Committee and recommendations of the Committee are binding on DMRC.For rationalisation of tickets rates, the proposal will be put up to next Fare Fixation Committee.

(v) Raising awareness among people

DMRC is making people aware of metro services through electronic and print media.

Further recommendations

3.2.3 The Committee takes note of various steps undertaken by DMRC with regard to ensuring the last mile connectivity with the metro stations and for which a subsidiary company with the name “Delhi Metro Last Mile Services limited” has been established. The Committee also takes note of the proposal for procuring 100 AC E-buses to operate on the designated route. The Committee still feels that waiting time set for procuring buses is considerably high, the Committee, therefore, recommends that efforts should be escalated including expediting the procurement of the buses.

3.2.4 The Committee notes that Multi-modal integration for management of traffic around metro stations has been envisaged for 98 stations out of which work is in progress at two stations. The Committee hopes that the scheme would be finalized and the balance funds of Rs.314.69 crore would be sanctioned by the MoHUA. The Committee however feels that pace of progress

36 of MMI work at metro stations is very tardy and there is a need to accelerate the MMI work at the metro stations.

3.3 Govt. of NCT of Delhi

Recommendation

3.3.1 The Committee expresses its concern that no procurement of buses has taken place since 2010. A huge demand and supply gap has emerged due to increased population during the said period as there has been no addition of buses to the existing fleet. The Committee feels that this is a serious lapse on the part of the Transport Department which has failed in procuring new buses during the last 10 years. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that many buses that were operational have also become obsolete. In view of the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to ban plying of diesel vehicles which have outlived their span of 10 years, the Committee strongly recommends to identify the obsolete and polluting buses and replace those with new ones, as also to fast track the procurement of new buses to meet the demand-supply gap. (Para 3.7.5 ibid) Action Taken

3.3.2 Transport Department, GNCTD has informed that DTC could not induct new buses in its fleet after augmentation of buses for the Commonwealth Games – 2010 as many tenders floated till date by DTC for procurement of buses could not succeed due to various constraints. However, Transport Department has inducted 2502 buses under the Cluster scheme during last 10 years.

3.3.3 The Transport Department is endeavoring to procure following additional buses during the year 2020-2021:

Sl. Cluster/DTC No. of Remarks No. Buses 1 Low Floor AC Cluster Buses 250 Upto 24.6.2020 2 Low Floor AC Cluster Buses 350 Bids already received, Bids Evaluation under progress. 3 Low Floor AC Cluster Buses 250 Matter pending in High Court. Buses may be inducted upto December, 2020 depending upon order of High Court. 4 Low Floor AC Electric Cluster Buses 385 Fresh tender will be floated. First lot to start in October, 2020. 5. DTC Low Floor AC Buses 1000 Fresh Tender will be floated. First lot to arrive in 41 weeks. Completion in 65th week. 6 DTC low floor AC Electric Buses 300 Fresh tender will be floated. First lot to arrive under FAME – II Scheme of the in September, 2020 subject to extension of Government of India FAME-II scheme by Government of India. Total 2535

Further Recommendation

3.3.4 The Committee is still not satisfied with the response and the efforts made to procure and induct new buses in DTC fleet. The procurement process of buses has been very slow and continues to remain so as only 2502 buses could be added during last ten years. The Committee notes further that the matter is struck in court cases and observes that the Government has to find solutions, alternatives to avoid court cases in scuh matters. The Committee therefore once again, reiterates its recommendation for fast tracking the process of procurement of buses in concrete terms with visible results. 37

3.4 Public Works Department

Recommendation

3.4.1 The Committee strongly recommends that the Public Works Department undertake simple alterations to junctions and corridors, which have so far remained a much neglected area of its activity but these can qualitatively impact the traffic situation in a positive manner.

(Para 3.8.2 ibid) Action Taken

3.4.2 PWD, Delhi has informed that they carry out the improvement of junctions and corridors under its jurisdiction to the best possible for traffic/pedestrian movements in consultation with Delhi Traffic Police and the current status and targets are as under:

3.4.3 The high number of road accidents are not only due to faulty design of roads/intersection but also due to many other reasons like not following traffic rules, crossing the road at any location, frequent lane changing by two wheelers, rash driving bikes without helmets etc. Delhi has the most mixed traffic on roads and lane movement is not following by many. Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE) under Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has engaged M/s Medulla Soft Technologies Pvt. Ltd as consultants to study roads of Delhi with following objectives:

Short Term Objectives

Medium and long term Objectives

(i) Testing, evaluation and optimization of all upcoming infrastructure development projects to ensure maximum efficiency and elimination of any lacunae at design stage. (ii) Proposals for grade separation and capacity enhancement where required (based on study of traffic bottlenecks, upcoming land use etc.). (iii) Study and recommendations on transit corridors. (iv) Detailed objectives, requirements and expected performance of Integration of Transit Stations (ITS) solutions. (v) Reduction of emissions. (vi) Planning towards encouraging modal shift to Public Transportation. (vii) Parking policies.

3.4.3 The study included 120 corridors consisting of 783 Kilometres of roads and 918 major intersections.

3.4.5 Retrofitting work on the basis of this study will start after acceptance of report and approval from Traffic Police and other concerned authorities.

3.4.6 The work of streetscaping of seven stretches of roads on trial basis has also been taken up by PWD in which the improvement of intersections, islands, central verge etc. are being undertaken.The consultants for the streetscaping work have already been appointed and tenders have been received for execution of work.

Further Recommendation

3.4.7 The Committee takes note that consultants have been engaged to study roads of Delhi to attain the identified short term and medium term objectives at 120 corridors consisting of 783 km of roads and 918 major intersections. But the Committee feels that studying 120 corridors consisting of 783 kms may take time. Therefore, the Committee is of the considered view that instead of waiting for all the 120 corridors, the study should identify corridors as territory-wise, severity-wise and give its report progressively instead of in one go. This will result in simultaneous work on corridors which have been studied. This would expedite the process of improvement.

3.5 Municipal Corporations/Council of Delhi

Recommendation

3.5.1 Further, there has been ongoing redevelopment of many colonies in the area hence, the NDMC should make provisions to address the increase in traffic load in near future. The Committee also recommends that NDMC provides necessary interventions at the rotaries in the NDMC area like at Tughlaq road, which is small, and cannot take heavy traffic. (Para 3.9.12 ibid) Action Taken

3.5.2 NDMC has informed that a number of redevelopment of colonies projects are undertaken by M/s NBCC and RVNL and also DMRC‟s project in NDMC area. These agencies should have taken care of the traffic load in design during approval from UTTIPEC. They have not informed NDMC for the required interventions due to their project at the rotaries/intersections in NDMC area. However, NDMC had carried out traffic study and simulation on some important corridor roads such as SP Marg, Simon Bouliver Marg etc as suggested by Delhi Traffic Police. The interventions as advised by Delhi traffic police are implemented / being implemented such as widening of Aurobindo Marg and dedicated Bus lane at INA market, SP Marg decongestion etc. Due to the heavy traffic in peak hours and space limitations at Tughlak Road Rotary, further interventions may not be feasible.

Further Recommendation

3.5.3 The Committee is constrained to express its displeasure at the lack of coordination amongst NDMC and various project executing agencies. The NDMC being the nodal municipal agency in the area should have been a party to the projects undertaken by various agencies in the colonies falling under the NDMC area. The NDMC in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs should have better coordinating mechanism with other agencies in its area. The Committee takes note that a traffic study and simulation on some important corridor roads such as SP Marg, Simon Bouliver Marg had been conducted. The Committee is of the view that a comprehensive study with participation of concerned agencies should be preferred than doing it alone. Further, the view of the NDMC that intervention at Tughlak Road Rotary is not feasible 39 is defeatist. The Committee recommends that some out of box idea needs to be explored to carry out intervention at the Tughlak Road Rotary.

3.6 Delhi Development of Authority (DDA) and Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC)

Recommendation

3.6.1 The Committee is of the view that the implementing agency needs to be more diligent and stringent. The accountability for implementing decisions with regard to removal of encroachments should be fixed by the Delhi Development Authority, the Delhi Police and officers of other concerned agencies entrusted with the work. (Para 3.10.8 ibid) Action Taken

3.6.2 DDA has informed that whenever complaint is received in STF Cell, the complaint is forwarded to the concerned STF Officer of the zone. After taking action by the concerned STF Officer, Action Taken Report is uploaded on portal.

3.6.3 EDMC has informed that at Zonal level under the control of Deputy Commissioners, regular action for removal of encroachment of Pedestrian Spaces on Market Road by Hawkers / Vendors is being taken regularly. Apart from this encroachment removal, action on 5 corridors falling in EDMC area (77 corridors in the matter of IA No. 34/1999 in CWP No. 13029/1985- M.C. Mehta Vs UoI & in the Hon‟ble Supreme Court of India) is being taken up regularly for decongestion of city roads to maintain the free movement of pedestrians as well as motor vehicles.

3.6.4 North DMC has informed that the market area parking and traffic management plans of Karol Bagh area are being implemented. The same is under process of implementation in Kamla Nagar Market area and plan for Old Delhi is under preparation.

3.6.5 SDMC has informed that the parking area management plan (PAMP) of Lajpat Nagar market has been planned and implemented by SDMC. PAMP for residential area has been prepared and is being implemented for Lajpat Nagar-III as per the orders of the Hon‟ble Supreme Court.

3.6.6 NDMC has informed that they had carried out traffic study and stimulation on some important corridor roads such as SP Marg, Simon Bouliver Marg etc. as suggested by Delhi Traffic Police. The interventions as advised by Delhi traffic police are implemented / being implemented such as widening of Aurobindo Marg and dedicated Bus lane at INA market, SP Marg decongestion etc.

Further Recommendation

3.6.7 The Committee is not satisfied with the evasive response of the NDMC, SDMC and North DMC as the details of the official entrusted with the accountability for implementing the decision with regard to removal of encroachments have not been provided.

3.6.8 The Committee therefore, recommends that the Ministry of Home Affairs should furnish a status report regarding action taken by implementing agencies for removal of encroachments in EDMC, North DMC, SDMC and NDMC areas.

3.7 National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB)

Recommendation

3.7.1 Another important issue which remains unsolved is the taxation policy for inter-State movement of vehicles as States have failed to form a uniform taxation policy for seamless movement of vehicles in the region. Further, the States have failed to create high level of connectivity through ring and peripheral roads to prevent traffic from entering Delhi which is one of the biggest reasons for traffic congestion in Delhi. There is also an urgent need to promote affordable, fast, eco-friendly modes of transport to address the twin problem of traffic congestion and pollution in the region.

(Para 3.11.5 ibid) Action Taken

3.7.2 National Capital Regional Planning Board (NCRPB) has informed that the matter regarding uniform taxation policy for seamless movement of vehicles is being followed up with the NCR States, in the meetings of the Committee of Transport Commissioners/Secretaries (CoTS) of NCRPB. (Last meeting held on 12th December, 2019). With the efforts of the CoTS, two Reciprocal Common Transport Agreements (RCTA) have been signed and are in force to facilitate seamless movement of traffic in NCR. Further, the recent CoTS meeting also discussed aspects regarding tax exemption for buses in NCR. In this regard, Govt. of Haryana had suggested submission of a proposal on uniform tax pattern in NCR for buses, which is being perused. Both Govt. of UP and Rajasthan had indicated their agreement on the aspect provided by Govt. of Haryana.

3.7.3 Further, NCR States are again being requested for urgent necessary action in reference to the suggestion of 222nd Report of the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs on “The Management of Worsening Traffic Situation in Delhi”.

3.7.4 Apart from above, NCR Planning Board have also taken the following steps:

(i) NCRPB have prepared Functional Plan on Transport-2032 for NCR and circulated it to the NCR participating States/concerned Implementing Agencies for implementation of the proposals related to Regional Rapid Transit System, New Rail Lines, Regional Mass Rapid Transit System, Up-gradation of Roads, Expressways, Bus Transport-System, Bus Terminals, Logistic hubs, Integrated Freight Complexes, Highway Facilities Centres and Airports including earmarking of required land. The provisions/proposal of FTP-2032 are being implemented by the participating State Govts./concerned implementing agencies. Further, NCRPB also assured to provide financial assistance in the form of soft loans for implementation of these proposals/projects. (ii) The implementation of Western Peripheral Expressway also known as Kundli Manesar Palwal Expressway was carried out by Haryana State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation, Govt. of Haryana. The part of WPE from Palwal to Manesar was commissioned in 2016 and the remaining part has been commissioned in November, 2018. The 135 Km. long Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) was made operational in May, 2018. The Delhi-Meerut Expressway is under implementation by National Highways Authority of India.

(iii) With regard to the Rail Network in NCR, the Functional Plan on Transport for NCR- 2032 recommends the fast and efficient eight RRTS corridors. Out of eight, three corridors viz. Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, Delhi-Gurgaon-Rewari-Alwar and Delhi- Sonipat-Panipat have been prioritized and are being taken up for development by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation which is a joint venture of GoI, and 41

States of Rajasthan, UP, Haryana and Delhi, established for planning and development of the RRTS projects in NCR. (iv) With regard to the extension of Delhi Metro Rail System to CNCR (Central NCR) towns and Mass Rapid Transit System in NCR, the MRTS (Metro) has been extended to the CNCR Towns namely Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad-Vaishali, Fridabad- Ballabhgarh and Bahadurgarh by DMRC. (v) NCRPB is making efforts to resolve the fourteen issues of inter-state connectivity roads/linkages in NCR. Out of 14 issues, the two issues, namely, extension of Bawana Auchandi Marg as SH-18 in Haryana and construction of second bridge on Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj-NOIDA, have been resolved. For remaining linkages, NCRPB is continuously pursuing with NCR participating State Governments and concerned Agencies/Departments of the Central Governments.

3.7.5 In accordance with the thought of Parliament Standing Committee on Home Affairs to resolve the issues related to proper management and problem of worsening traffic situation in Delhi, NCR Planning Board in coordination with the participating States have been continuously taking their best of efforts.

Further Recommendation

3.7.6 The Committee takes note of the fact that matter regarding uniform taxation policy for inter-state movement of vehicles in the NCR Region is being followed up in the meetings of the Committee of Transport Commissioners/Secretaries (CoTS) of the NCR States last meeting held on 12.12.2019. The Committee is baffled to note that when the Committee has presented its report on 11.12.2019 how the matter can be followed up in the meeting of CoTS held on 12.12.2019. The Committee, therefore, reiterates its recommendation on need to have uniform taxation policy for inter-state movement of vehicles from neighbouring States of Delhi.

3.8 Improvement in Parking

Recommendation

3.8.1 The Committee notes that one of the major causes of traffic congestion at market/commercial places is because of difficulties faced by commuters to park their vehicles due to shortage of parking space and lack of information on availability of parking slots and knowledge of designated place for the same, especially when an unknown and new vehicle enters the market place. The Committee, therefore, recommends that a proper and visible signages should be placed for guiding vehicles to the designated parking lot and Light Emitting Diode (LED) screens should be installed to give real time availability of parking slots at various parking venues. (Para 4.2.3 ibid) Action Taken

3.8.2 North MCD has informed that the directions to parking contractors for fixing of LED boards in their parking sites for display of availability of parking slots will be issued shortly for implementation.

3.8.3 DDA has informed that instructions have been given to all CEs to comply with the recommendations of committee.

3.8.4 South MCD has informed that a live parking application has been developed by Lajpat Nagar Market Association, where the market area is geo-fenced. The app shows the bays occupied and available for parking. 42

3.8.5 East MCD has informed that the directions to parking contractors for fixing of LED boards in their parking sites for display of availabilty of parking slots will be issued shortly for implementation.

Further Recommendation

3.8.6 The Committee notes that a live parking application has been developed by Lajpat Nagar market Association to display the status of occupancy of the parking bays in the parking in the market area which would be helpful to shoppers and traders in the matter. The Committee, however, is dismayed that EMCD will issue the directions to contractors for implementation Committee's recommendations. DDA has given instructions to CEs to comply with the recommendations of the Committee while North MCD will issue the directions to contractors for carrying out the recommendations of the Committee. The Committee expect a better reply. Not only instructions but actions must have been taken. The Committee therefore reiterates the said recommendations.

Recommendation

3.8.7 The Committee observes that improper parking, non planned expansion of infrastructure, buildings and encroachments of roads often lead to increasing bottlenecks on the roads and pathways leading to severe congestion and traffic snarls. The Committee strongly recommends that effective parking regulation and management plans for existing facilities and a comprehensive approach for planning for future facilities by assessing future demand should be prepared to combat this issue. Provision of Park-and-Ride facilities at public transport terminals will also make public transport system a better choice for the users. (Para 4.2.9 ibid) Action Taken

3.8.8 The Transport Department had already notified “Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules-2019” on 23rd September, 2019. It inter-alia mandates preparation of Area Parking Plans by the Civic Agencies/Local bodies. Therefore further action pertains to Civic Agencies/Local bodies.

Further Recommendation

3.8.9 The Committee is perplexed by the reply that the Transport Department, GNCT of Delhi has notified the “Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules, 2019” on 23rd September, 2019 and civil agencies/local bodies are mandated to prepare Area Parking plans and further action pertains to by these agencies. If parking Rules have been notified, are they cast in stone and no improvement therein possible. The Transport Department of GNCT of Delhi should have applied its mind before furnishing a cryptic reply. The Committee, therefore, once again reiterates its recommendation at para 4.2.9.

Lajpat Nagar (Market Area and Residential Area)

Recommendation

3.8.10 The Committee appreciates that South Delhi Municipal Corporation has devised the plan to utilize the streets and places of common utilities like school, hospitals and commercial complexes to meet the demand for parking space in the area. The Committee however feels that efforts are

43 concentrated only on utilizing the street spaces for parking spaces, whereas efforts should also be made for enhancing the number of parking spaces by constructing more Multi-level Car parking (MLCPs).

(Para 4.2.20 ibid) Action Taken

3.8.11 SDMC has informed that there is no requirement of taking up the shared spaces for parking. The back lanes are till now sufficient to accommodate the parking. However, SDMC is looking for the possibility of shared parking spaces for catering to the future demand.

Further Recommendation

3.8.12 The Committee is aware of the trend of exponential increase in vehicle volumes and with the passage of time, the gap between the stagnant number of parking space and increase in demand for parking space will widen. So, the Committee expresses its apprehension that sooner than later the SDMC would be compelled to use the street spaces and other utility spaces nullifying its effort of enforcing parking management in the area. Also, the area would become congested with cars and other vehicles parked on the road stretches restricting the movement of vehicles. The Committee therefore, once again reiterates its recommendation at para 4.2.20 and recommends that construction of MLCPs at suitable places should be taken up on priority.

Connaught Place

Recommendation

3.8.13 The Committee notes that the problem of vehicles getting improperly parked around the Patiala House Court may be due to rush created by media when some important case is being heard in the Court and the people may not find it practical to park their vehicle in the automated parking facility opposite the High Court due to distance or lack of awareness about the availability of parking facility. The Committee, therefore, recommends that separate designated parking for the Patiala House Court be provided to address the problem of on- road parking around the area. The Committee feels that due to ever increasing number of cars plying on road of Delhi for various places there is a need to ensure designated parking facilities around prominent places like courts, hospitals, commercial complexes, for use by visiting vehicles, either on sharing basis or exclusively for that place. (Para 4.2.53 ibid) Action Taken

3.8.14 NDMC has informed that at present there is no designated parking near Patiala House Court being managed by the NDMC. The NDMC manages such parking spots which are already identified and designated for parking.

Further Recommendation

3.8.15 The Committee is constrained to express its unhappiness with the reply that designated parking has not been provided around Patiala House Court. The very purpose of making the recommendation of the Committee was that since there was no designated parking for Patiala House Courts therefore one is needed to be created/provided. The Committee reiterates its recommendation at para 4.2.53 for construction of designated parking facilities around prominent places either exclusively or on shared basis. Meanwhile, appropriate arrangements may be put in place to ensure that vehicles are guided to the available parking places near the High Court so as to avoid traffic jams around Patiala Court. The Committee recommends that 44 the matter of providing a parking space and applying the Smart Parking Management System thereon should be taken up by the High Powered Committee.

Kamla Nagar Market

Recommendation

3.8.16 The Committee recommends that the matter should be pursued with the Delhi government for expeditious allocation of funds for the project. The Committee appreciates the efforts made for comprehensive upgradation of the market for providing facilities for the shoppers and the proposal to reserve one street entirely for use by pedestrians. However, the Committee strongly feels that the three streets on which parking has been allowed should be freed. Therefore, the Committee recommends that efforts should be made to identify space in the locality that could be developed as a Multi-Level Parking to free the three streets and to meet the future parking demands of the locality.

(Para 4.2.73 ibid) Action Taken

3.8.17 North DMC has informed that the market area parking and traffic management plans are under process of implementation in Kamla Nagar Market area. North DMC has also informed that the matter of installation of automatically parking and retrieving vehicles using an extensive intelligent system of lifts, pallets and sensors etc. in multilevel parking at Kamla Nagar is under operation.

Further Recommendation

3.8.18 The Committee notes that market area parking and traffic management plans under implementation in the area and also the multi-level parking at Kamla Nagar is being installed for providing automatic parking and retrieving of vehicles. The Committee, however, finds that ATN is silent on its recommendation of expediting allocation of funds for the project.

Drafting of Parking Rules

Recommendation

3.8.19 The Committee strongly recommends that provisions needs to be made to ensure that a new vehicle should be allowed on the road only if it has a parking space. (Para 4.2.84 ibid) Action Taken

3.8.20 Transport Department/GNCTD has informed that at present the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and Rules made thereunder do not have the provision that new vehicle should be allowed on road only, if it has a parking space. The state government does not have the power under the Motor Vehicles Act to make such a provision. Once, the provision is made by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, the Transport Department of GNCT of Delhi will implement it.

Further Recommendation

3.8.21 The Committee takes note of the reply and recommends that MHA should seek the comments of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, on the issue and apprise the Committee thereof.

3.9 Complete Street Design for Dwarka Streets

Recommendation

3.9.1 The Committee is given to understand that the project is being taken on pilot basis and the experience gained would be used in other parts of the City. The Committee, therefore, suggests that work should be done keeping in view the future demands. The Committee was informed by representative of IIT, Delhi that in the past some flyovers had been constructed without making correct assessment of the future demand and these flyovers are unable to meet the present traffic demands hence are often clogged. (Para 4.4.10 ibid) Action Taken

3.9.2 IIT, Delhi has stated that Point No.4.4.10 says that “The Committee was informed by representative of IIT, Delhi that in the past some flyovers had been constructed without …………..”.

3.9.3 This should be replaced by

“the Committee was informed by representative of IIT, Delhi that in their view some flyovers had been constructed without….”

Further Recommendation

3.9.4 The Committee has noted the comments of the Ministry and recommends that ATN on the recommendation may be furnished without going into the semantics.

3.10 Rationalization of Buses And Enhancing the Present Fleet of Buses

Recommendation

3.10.1 The Committee strongly recommends that shortage of 6000 buses in Delhi be filled up expeditiously with good quality buses. The Committee hopes that with the introduction of these 6000 buses, public transport will improve considerably and loss of time in traffic jams and waiting for public transport will be curtailed. (Para 4.5.13 ibid) Action Taken

3.10.2 Transport Department/ GNCTD has informed that the Government of NCT of Delhi has already decided that the new buses inducted under the cluster scheme and DTC operation shall be low floor air-conditioned equipped with CCTV, Panic Buttons and GPS (Vehicle Tracking System).

Further Recommendation

3.10.3 The Committee feels that there is no relation between recommendation made by the Committee and ATN submitted thereon. The Committee therefore reiterates its recommendation.

3.11 Fitting of security features like GPS and women helpline button in buses for safety of women

Recommendation

3.11.1 The Committee observes that use of public transport is the best suited and possible solution to the present crisis of worsening traffic situation in Delhi. The Committee, therefore, recommends that considering demand of the time and people, mobile applications may be developed for providing information about different transport services and real time information about availability of buses at the bus stop. The concerned agency needs to ensure that the buses are GPS enabled, properly maintained and are equipped with the latest technology for safety and security of the passengers. The concerned agency should also ensure that other essential infrastructures like clean and properly maintained bus stops should also be provided so that commuters are comfortable and safe while waiting for bus. (Para 4.5.23 ibid) Action Taken

3.11.2 With the installation of GPS devices (Vehicle Tracking System) in existing buses of DTC and Cluster scheme (new buses being inducted are already equipped with Vehicle Tracking System) will definitely provide information to bus commuters on real time basis. The electronic ticketing machines being utilized by DTC and Cluster operations will also support the real time information. The Government of NCT of Delhi has to take a policy decision for installation of passenger information system in all the bus stops/bus queue shelters in the territory of NCT of Delhi to provide real time information of the bus arrival time at any particular bus stop.

Further Recommendation

3.11.3 The Committee believes that installation of security devices like GPS in the buses and introduction of electronic ticketing machines would ensure security to the passengers and provide real-time information. However, the Committee finds the ATN evasive as no details of policy decision on installation/ upgradation of bus stops have been provided. Therefore, the Committee reiterates its recommendation.

3.12 IT Based Management of Traffic

Recommendation

3.12.1 The Committee is aware that significant changes have been introduced by implementation of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 and hopes that it will help in reducing road accidents and will also improve road discipline among the drivers of all ages and types. The Committee recommends that quantum of penalties should be relooked/revisited/rationalised so that the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 2019 is effectively observed and has wider public acceptance. (Para 4.6.18 ibid)

Action Taken

3.12.2 Delhi Police has informed that Notification under section 200 (1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, authorizing traffic officers to compound the traffic offences at the spot is yet to be issued by GNCT of Delhi.

Further Recommendation

3.12.3 The Committee feels that inputs for the said recommendation of he Committee should have been taken from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)and therefore reiterates its recommendation.

Recommendation

3.12.4 The Committee notes the proposal of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)/Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIB) for linking of insurance premium to the rule violation and finds that such steps would act as a deterrent and a check for violation of traffic rules. The Committee, therefore, recommends that insurance premium should be linked to traffic rule violation and an increase in premium should be made in case of violation of rules by the vehicles when the vehicle is either driven or occupied by the owner or is run under a contract. (Para 4.6.20 ibid) Action Taken

3.12.5 The lnsurance Regulatory and Development Authority of lndia (lRDAl) vide order dated 6th September, 2019 formed a Working Group to examine establishing of a system of linking motor insurance premium with traffic violations. The Working Group has submitted its report. As a first step, Delhi is chosen to implement the system on a pilot basis before implementing it nationwide. In this regard, a presentation was made to the Delhi Government on the report on 3rd February, 2020.On receipt of comments from Transport Department and Delhi Police, pilot project in certain areas of Delhi will be carried out by IRDAI.

3.12.6 Delhi Traffic Police has informed that in the presentation made by IRDAI on 3rd February, 2020, IRDAI highlighted that many countries, such as South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia etc, have implemented linking of traffic violation with premium. They have adopted different type of models which has had positive impact on traffic violators. The IRDAI has recommended point based system for traffic violations such as drunken driving, dangerous driving, using mobile phone while driving, allowing under age to drive, wrong overtaking, over-speeding, driving without insurance, etc. The validity period of violation point is recommended as 2 years. They have requested for a pilot project in GNCT of Delhi so that further fine tuning of the proposed system is carried out based on the feedback. The Delhi Traffic Police is actively assisting and coordinating with the officials of IRDAI/IIB.

Further Recommendation

3.12.7 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry.

3.13 Diversion of non Delhi bound vehicles from entering Delhi

Recommendation

3.13.1 The Committee notes that there is to and fro movement of more than 12 lakh vehicles everyday from neighbouring States of Delhi. The Committee observes that less than one fourth of the total vehicular movement is attributed to the freight vehicles. The Committee also observes that the volume of both personal and freight vehicles is gradually increasing. The Committee is also aware of the fact that the addition of vehicles on the Delhi roads consumes not only road spaces but also affect the environment i.e. the emission from vehicles exhaust and their noise increases air and noise pollution in the area. The Committee is surprised to note that there is no planning to regulate or restrict the vehicular movement from the neighbouring States when the roads of the City are already reeling under heavy stress because of traffic congestion and other related issues. Therefore, the Committee recommends that there is an urgent need to formulate plan/policy to regulate the entry of the inbound traffic and ensure smooth exit of the outbound traffic by diverting the vehicles using Delhi roads only for bypassing via peripheral and ring roads.

3.13.2 The Committee recommends restricting entry of freight vehicles to Delhi during peak traffic hours and vehicles which need to reach other destinations and passing through the roads of Delhi should be strictly diverted to take the peripheral and ring roads instead of entering Delhi. The Committee further recommends to categorise roads on the basis of "prohibit, regulate and restrict" to regulate the movement of traffic and to prevent congestion of roads within the limits of Delhi. The Committee further recommends that the proposal of patrolling of the border area by joint teams of Delhi and Haryana traffic police at the Delhi-Haryana border and at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border by Delhi and Uttar Pradesh traffic police should be encouraged for better management of traffic in these areas. (Para 4.7.17 ibid) Action Taken

3.13.3 Delhi Traffic Police has informed that formulation of plan/policy to regulate the entry of the inbound traffic and ensure smooth exit of the outbound traffic by diverting the vehicles using Delhi roads only for bypassing via peripheral and ring roads, is the subject matter of GNCT of Delhi. However, the Delhi Traffic Police is diverting non-destined goods vehicles from border entry points. Additional deployment of traffic staff has also been made at the borders to check and return non- destined goods vehicles. During the year 2019, a total of 1,75,070 goods vehicles were checked and 7,543 non-destined goods vehicles were returned from the border by traffic police. It is an ongoing process for which necessary action is undertaken by Delhi Traffic Police.

3.13.4 In addition, plying and idle parking of goods vehicles has been restricted by Transport Department, GNCT of Delhi and Delhi Traffic Police on specified roads during specified timings (24 hours restrictions, day time restrictions and peak hours restrictions) for different categories of goods vehicles i.e. Heavy, Medium and Light Goods Vehicles to prevent congestion of roads within the limits of Delhi. The restrictions are being implemented on ground by Delhi Traffic Police. During the year 2019, a total of 71,752 goods vehicles were prosecuted for violation of no entry timings. Additional deployment of traffic police staff is also ensured at major border entry points for ensuring better traffic management in the area.

3.13.5 Uttar Pradesh Traffic Police has informed that 8 districts of Uttar Pradesh (Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Bulandshahar, Hapur, Meerut, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar and Shamli) fall in NCR region, in which the two districts Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar are adjacent to the National Capital Delhi. Action taken on the recommendations contained in 222nd Report are as under:

(i) In the adjacent districts of Delhi, Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad and in the border areas of Delhi, the Traffic Police takes effective action against encroachment in coordination with other concerned departments as per the orders of the government/high officials. Due to the various programmes/events being organized in Delhi, appropriate action is taken in coordination with Delhi Police and concerned Departments. (ii) Often coordination meeting of all concerned departments is organized in the state of Delhi for smooth traffic system in NCR, in which the senior officers of concerned department of the State participate and outcome is conveyed to the ground level and complied. (iii)A major part of NH-09, NH-91, Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and Yamuna Expressway comes under the border district of Gautam Budh Nagar and NH-24, NH-58, NH-91 and SH-57 fall in the district of Ghaziabad. Goods carrier vehicles and passenger vehicles from all over the state are coming here day and night and there is a large number of movement of VIPs of the state in these districts. Due to all these, the pressure of traffic is constantly increasing in the state of Delhi as well as in the districts Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad. In spite of this, the traffic is being operated smoothly and actions are taken to divert vehicles going to other states through peripheral way. (iv) 6 routes going to Delhi from Gautam Budh Nagar (Kalindi Kunj border, DND, Chilla border, Mayur Vihar, New Ashok Nagar border, Vasundhra border, Jungpura border), heavy goods vehicles going to other states are diverted through NH-9, Yamuna Expressway and Eastern Peripheral way to their destination in the compliance of Hon‟ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders. (v) In district Ghaziabd, the heavy vehicles whose destination is not Delhi and going to Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab are diverted and sent to their destination through Eastern Peripheral way by deputing of additional traffic police force in the compliance of Hon‟ble NGT orders. (vi) Continuous coordination has been maintained with the Traffic Police Delhi. The traffic is facilitated by coordinating according to the directions.

Further Recommendation

3.13.6 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. The Committee feels that comments of GNCT of Delhi should have been obtained on this recommendation of the Committee.

3.13.7 The Committee also desires to be informed about the coordination mechanism with state Government of Haryana like the one with Government of Uttar Pradesh.

3.14 Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)

Recommendation

3.14.1 The Committee observes that the agencies are lacking in efforts for providing viable traffic related facilities for differently abled people of the society and this is severely affecting their daily life as a commuter. There is an urgent need to safeguard the interests of the vulnerable Sections of the Society, therefore, while planning for any solution the interests of the vulnerable Sections of the Society must be taken into account. (Para 5.2.7 ibid) Action Taken

3.14.2 The recommendations of the Committee have been circulated to all the stakeholders for compliance.

Further Recommendation

3.14.3 The Committee notes the reply and feels that some mechanism needs to be instituted under the HPC to specifically scrutinise various proposal for development of infrastructure and sensitize those are making plan to assess the effect of implementation of the proposals on needs/mobility of these sections of the society.

CHAPTER-IV

Recommendation/Observation in respect of which final reply of the Government have not been received

4.1 Public Works Department (PWD)

Recommendation

4.1.1 The Committee observes that in the absence of proper guidelines, road signage are placed on pedestrains footpaths, thus obstructing the free flow of pedestrians movement. This forces pedestrains to walk on the road which hinders the free flow of traffic. The Committee feels that putting road signage at parking places is vital for the smooth flow of traffic. The Committee therefore recommends that the MHA may take up with the PWD to place adequate and appropriate signage at proper places and frame guidelines in this regard. (Para 3.8.3 ibid) Action Taken

4.1.2 PWD, Delhi has informed that audit of signages on roads is being done which include checking of signages, their location, requirement etc. Appropriate signages at proper places are generally installed on PWD roads as per existing guidelines of Indian Road Standards (IRC-67) and wrong signages are proposed to be corrected by 31st March, 2021.

Further Recommendation

4.1.3 The Committee takes note that the Indian Road Standards (IRC-67) guidelines are followed in installation of the signage and the audit of signage on roads is being done to ascertain their utility by the PWD. The Committee feels that in the first place wrong signages should not be placed and if it is found that it has been done then responsibility of both the contractor and concerned officer(s) needs to be fixed to obviate such wasteful/unproductive exercise.

4.2 Municipal Corporations/Council of Delhi

Recommendation

4.2.1 The Committee recommends that the NDMC should increase the capacity of existing infrastructure and road network ensuring safe movement of pedestrians, cyclists, women and provide universal accessibility. Integration of different modes of transport should also be taken up by NDMC. The Committee observes that most of the important persons reside in and around Lutyen‘s Delhi which is under NDMC but there is no provision of separate lane to facilitate easy and free flow of traffic resulting in traffic jams and also security concerns. Therefore, the Committee recommends that MHA should coordinate with Transport Department, PWD of Government of Delhi and Delhi police to ensure free and safe movement of important persons in the area and also to avoid any inconvenience to the commuters. (Para 3.9.11 ibid) Action Taken

4.2.2 NDMC has informed that NDMC‟s roads have service lanes along main roads and the footpaths are also wide enough for safe movements of pedestrians, cyclist, women and important 52 persons. The service lanes are comfortable for cycle riders / commuters at present. The seamless connectivity for pedestrian walkway / footpath and dedicated cycle tracks along the Avenue roads is to be planned in NDMC area. In that, roundabouts and intersections will be retrofitted. The dedicated bicycle tracks are also being considered as per the site feasibility.

4.2.3 NDMC has started the Public Bike Sharing System in NDMC area by providing State of Art Bicycles consisting important features like gender friendly, GPS enabled and easy gear for smooth ride, in NDMC area through Private concessionaire on PPP Model as last mile connectivity as pick and use points / facility at all the stations. The project is running successfully and satisfactorily. There is about one lakh active user.

4.2.4 Due to the space limitations along with the all major roads in NDMC and dense trees, the widening of carriage way are not feasible at all the locations.

4.2.5 The footpaths are provided in all the avenue roads and main colony roads / streets with proper ramps and bollards for easy and comfortable access to pedestrian, important persons, woman, and senior citizen etc., to avoid inconvenience to the commuters.

Further Recommendation

4.2.6 The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry for various works undertaken by NDMC for safe movement of pedestrians, cyclists, women and important persons in NDMC area/Luyten’s Delhi. However, the Committee recommends that planned seamless connectivity for pedestrian walkway/footpath and dedicated cycle track along the Avenue roads needs to be expedited and the Committee may be informed of the action taken. Similarly exercise of dedicated cycle track needs to be put on fast track.

Recommendation

4.2.7 The Committee is concerned that parking projects undertaken by North DMC will not be enough to address the parking issues in the area. Further, the North DMC needs to run regular drives for removal of permanent and temporary encroachments in the commercial area of the region.

(Para 3.9.13 ibid) Action Taken

4.2.8 Multi level parking with capacity of 12,301 ECS (equivalent car space) at North DMC plots and Metro plots has been undertaken by North DMC.

Further Recommendation

4.2.9 The Committee notes that the MLP project has been undertaken by North DMC and would like to be apprised about the details of places identified, timeline and cost in this regard. Further, the Committee hopes that the multi-level car parking would be fitted with latest technology to save time and fuel of the motorists.

4.2.10 The Committee expresses its disatisfaction over not providing any details of the action taken on removing encroachment in the Area. The Committee is aware that many commercial areas are located in North DMC and the menace of both permanent and temporary encroachments is rampant. The Committee desires to be apprised about the status on removal of encroachment and the strategy being applied to deter the possible encroachments in future. 53

4.3 National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB)

Recommendation

4.3.1 The Committee observes that there is lack of coordination between the State Governments of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and other concerned agencies in the NCR in management of traffic. The Committee recommends that the institutional mechanism should be further strengthened and representatives from the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) and Planning Boards from concerned States should be included as members in the High Powered Committee functioning under the MHA. (Para 3.11.4 ibid) Action Taken

4.3.2 Representative of National Capital Regional Planning Board (NCRPB) has been included as one of the members of the High Powered Committee vide Order dated 28th February, 2020 (Annexure-I).

Further Recommendation

4.3.3 The Committee takes note that a representative of the National Capital Regional Planning Board (NCRPB) has been included as one of the members of the High Powered Committee, in accordance to its recommendation. However, the Committee finds that no reply in relation to its recommendations on lack of coordination amongst concerned States of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan has been furnished. The Committee expresses its displeasure over not apprising it about the action taken for inclusion of representatives of Planning Boards from the concerned States in the High Powered Committee and recommends to furnish a reply therefor too.

4.4 Improvement in Parking

Bhikaji Cama Place

Recommendation

4.4.1 The Committee notes that the locality is highly congested and due to on-street and at-grade parking, the vehicular movement in the locality was obstructed. (Para 4.2.42 ibid)

4.4.2 Regarding general up-gradation plan, the Request For Proposal (RFP) for hiring agency has been received and referred to competent authority for allowing negotiations, as quoted rates are high. A time gap of more than six months has been kept for selection of the agency. The Committee recommends that the process of selection of agencies should be completed in shortest possible time so as to reduce the target. (Para 4.2.43 ibid)

4.4.3 Regarding construction of multi-level parking in Phase-2, the Committee notes that issuance of RFP for hiring of agency has been issued and process of selection of work is likely to be completed in three months i.e. by February, 2020. The Committee recommends that the construction of multi-level parking in phase-2 should be completed without time and cost over run. The Committee feels that

54 freeing the streets and lanes of the locality is necessary for the easy movement of vehicles especially in case of emergency. (Para 4.2.44 ibid)

4.4.4 The Committee recommends that the work of construction of multi-level parking be taken up on priority basis and revised schedule to pre-pone the construction of multi-level parking should be made so that the parking facilities in the area could be augmented which in turn will have a positive effect on the overall traffic situation in the area. (Para 4.2.45 ibid) Action Taken

4.4.5 DDA has taken up the following Traffic Improvement Plan of Bhikaji Cama Place:

(i) Provision of Multi Level car parking Infrastructure at one location for total 445 cars + 156 Two Wheelers. (ii) To facilitate pedestrian movement, provision of lifts, escalators, skywalks, toilets, wi-fi etc. (iii)Provision of additional roads linking between two ends of complex between Ring Road and August Kranti Bhawan for improving movement of motorised transport Work for up gradation of main plaza area and surface parking, circulation roads etc. has been awarded on December 2019.The work will be completed in 12 months.

Further Recommendation

4.4.6 The Committee takes note of the Traffic Improvement Plan of Bikhaji Cama Place taken up by DDA but the recommendation of the Committee was for expediting the Multi-Level Car parking. The Committee, therefore, reiterates its recommendation.

4.5 Retrofitting of 100 Junctions and 77 Identified Corridors

Recommendation

4.5.1 The Committee takes note of the work done at various locations like improvement at Adchini T. Point, PTS Chowk like construction of slip roads, relocation of the CNG stations and installation of iron grills and relocation of bus stops, etc.

(Para 4.3.13 ibid)

4.5.2 The Committee recommends that as per the target dates fixed by the Ministry as mentioned in the table above and the steps identified towards meeting that target, work should be completed.

(Para 4.3.14 ibid) Action Taken 4.5.3 Delhi Traffic Police has informed that as regards 77 identified corridors, the matter is regularly taken up by DCsP/Traffic Ranges, who are the convener of the Task Force teams for their respective areas of jurisdiction, with the PWD and other concerned agencies to get the tasks completed as per specified timelines indicated by the agencies. Review meetings are also convened by Special CP/Traffic on regular basis with all concerned agencies to review the progress made by the agencies for completion of the identified tasks. During these meetings, the agencies are also requested to complete the identified tasks as per the timelines set by them. Overall status of the tasks on these 77 corridors is as follows:

4.5.4 PWD, Delhi has informed that they carry out the improvement of junctions and corridors under its jurisdiction to the best possible for traffic/pedestrian movements in consultation with Delhi Traffic Police and the current status and targets are as under:-

4.5.5 The high number of road accidents are not only due to faulty design of roads/intersection but also due to many other reasons like not following traffic rules, crossing the road at any location, frequent lane changing by two wheelers, rash driving bikes without helmets, etc. Delhi has the most mixed traffic on roads and nobody follow lane movement. Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE) under MoRTH has engaged M/s Medulla Soft Technologies Pvt. Ltd as consultants to study roads of Delhi with following objectives:

Short Term Objectives

Medium and long term Objectives

4.5.6 The study included 120 corridors consisting on 783 Km of roads and 918 major intersections. Retrofitting work on the basis of this study will start after acceptance of report and approval from Traffic Police and other concerned authority. The work of streetscaping of seven stretches of roads on trial basis have also been taken up by PWD in which the improvement of intersections, islands, central verge etc. are being undertaken. The consultants for the streetscaping work have already been appointed and tenders have been received for execution of work.

Further Recommendation

4.5.7 The Committee takes note that the task forces have been constituted by the Delhi Traffic Police to carryout the various tasks in 77 identified corridors and the matter is being taken up with PWD and concerned agencies for timely completion of the tasks. However, the Committee is constrained to note that the pace of work is slow and 454 tasks are still under progress as per the data furnished by the Delhi Traffic Police. The Committee also takes note of the reply of the PWD, Delhi that a company viz. Medulla Soft Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has been engaged to study roads of Delhi with short-term, medium term and long term objectives. The Committee hopes that the retrofitting work would be carried out by obtaining necessary approval of the Delhi Traffic Police and other concerned authorities without any delay. The Committee may be apprised on the progress made in this regard.

4.6 Complete Street Design for Dwarka Streets

Recommendation

4.6.1 The Committee in its meeting held on 11th October, 2019 took note of the fact about the poor quality of work done on some flyovers. The Committee is anguished at the low quality of work done on some flyovers like poor sound barriers, riders feeling bumps due to uneven surface. The Committee therefore strongly recommends that there should be regular check on the quality of the work being done and a functional mechanism should be put in place to check the quality of work.

(Para 4.4.11 ibid) Action Taken

4.6.2 The recommendation of the Hon‟ble Committee has been sent to all the stakeholders for compliance.

Further Recommendation

4.6.3 The Committee takes note that recommendation has been sent to all the stakeholders for compliance. The Committee, however, observes that HPC should put in place a mechanism for regular quality check of the completed work by an independent agency and follow up the recommendation/report of that agency meticulously.

4.7 Fitting of security features like GPS and women helpline button in buses for safety of women

Recommendation

4.7.1 The Committee is constrained to express its displeasure that installation of GPS devices is being delayed. The Committee fails to understand when other public vehicles like private taxis, cluster buses have the facility why the DTC buses have been left out. (Para 4.5.19 ibid)

4.7.2 The Committee takes note of the plan made for installation of GPS devices, panic button and CCTV in all the buses for the safety of passengers. The Committee hopes that the work would be completed in time bound manner. The Committee further recommends that in addition to the GPS

57 devises, panic button, CCTVs cameras should be installed in all the buses to ensure security of the commuters including women and children. (Para 4.5.20 ibid)

4.7.3 The Committee feels that the implementation of pilot projects is not going to solve the problem. The Committee therefore, strongly recommends that regular assessment of number of buses required in proportion to the increase in commuting population and upgradation of security features should be taken up. (Para 4.5.21 ibid) Action Taken

4.7.4 Transport Department and DTC has already signed Master Service Agreement(s) with M/s Telecommunications Consultants India Limited on 03.01.2020 for installation of CCTV, Panic Buttons and GPS devices (Vehicle Tracking System) in all the existing DTC and Cluster buses. The project inter-alia includes establishment of State of the Art Control & Command Center and all the buses are equipped with these devices within 7 months from the date of the signing of agreement(s). The new 724 buses inducted under the cluster scheme during the last 3 months are already equipped with CCTV, Panic Buttons and GPS devices.

Further Recommendation

4.7.5 The Committee takes note that Master Service Agreements for installation of CCTV, Panic Button and GPS devices in the existing DTC and Cluster buses has been signed. The Committee hopes that all the DTC buses and the remaining Cluster buses would be fitted with the security devices as per the set schedule. The Committee would like to be apprised about the status of completion of the work.

Recommendation

4.7.6 The Committee, therefore, recommends that some sort of mechanism needs to be developed to rationalize the routes of the existing fleet, to assess the need for more buses and to decide on procurement of buses on regular basis. (Para 4.5.22 ibid) Action Taken

4.7.7 Transport Department has already assigned a study to DIMTS on Route Rationalization and Last Mile Connectivity of all the bus routes for providing an efficient public transport through bus transport system. The report has been received from DIMTS and is under examination of the Transport Department for implementation.

Further Recommendation

4.7.8 The Committee notes that a study on bus Route Rationalization and Last Mile Connectivity for providing an efficient public transport system has been conducted by DIMTS and the report is under examination of the Transport Department for its implementation. The Committee hopes that the implemention of the route rationalization based on the outcome of the study, would help in managing the bus operations more efficiently. The Committee would like to be apprised about the outcome of the study.

4.8 IT Based Management of Traffic

Recommendation

4.8.1 Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) based on Signal Modernization Parking Application with Parking Guidance System. With the increasing population and increasing number of vehicles in Delhi, it has become very difficult to regulate the flow of traffic manually and therefore, the Committee strongly supports incorporation of Intelligent Traffic Management systems (ITMS) for better management of traffic. (Para 4.6.6 ibid)

4.8.2 The Committee observes that computer-based Area Traffic Control System is operational in many South East Asian countries since last three decades but is anguished to learn that Delhi does not have any computer based system for managing the traffic on the Roads. For example in the Philippines, for traffic management, a computer-based induction and sensor-based intersection system was installed around 30 years ago. (Para 4.6.7 ibid) Action Taken

4.8.3 Delhi Traffic Police has informed that the pilot ITMS has been initiated and under this project Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD) cameras at 34 important intersections have been installed in Delhi based on State-of-the-art 3D Radar technology. Similarly, Over Speed Violation Detection (OSVD) camera system has also been installed at 100 locations all over the city. These systems are computer based and controlled from the Traffic Command Centre established at Traffic Police Headquarters, Todapur. Traffic violations such as violation of traffic signal, stop line, over-speeding, driving against the flow of traffic, etc. are detected by intelligent sensors and notices are sent to the violators through SMS. The violators have been provided facility of online payment through SBI e-pay gateway. The entire system is automated based on latest technology. The system is working satisfactorily and Delhi Traffic Police is considering to expand it at other strategic locations.

Further Recommendation

4.8.4 The Committee feels that if the system is working satisfactorily then why it is still in pilot stage. The Committee recommends that efforts should be made to expand the ITMS to all the locations. The Committee may also be apprised about the progress made in this regard.

Recommendation

4.8.5 However, the Committee feels that although ITMS projects have finally been envisaged for Delhi, the Committee is deeply concerned at the very slow pace of progress being made in devising the project and taking up just the pilot project. (Para 4.6.8 ibid) Action Taken

4.8.6 The project of Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) is planned to be implemented in a phased manner:-

(i) Hiring of Consultant for ITMS project by May 2020. (ii) Preparation and approval of detailed project report (DPR) by September 2020 (16 weeks for finalization of DPR). (iii) Finalization/singing of contract with System Integrator (afterapproval/acceptance of the DPR 59

from Competent Authority-MHA) – April‟ 2021 (30 weeks from date of approval/acceptance of DPR).

Phase-wise implementation of the Project:

(i) Phase-I : Upto July 2021. (ii) Phase-2 : August 2021 to October 2022 (iii) Phase-3 : November 2022 to July 2023

4.8.7 The process of hiring of Consultant has been started as per approved „Terms of Reference‟ by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India. Expression of Interest (EoI) was floated and tender opened on 16th July, 2019. Four vendors have been shortlisted at EoI stage for providing the RFP. The RFP was uploaded and Pre-bid meeting held on 14th November, 2019 and tender was scheduled to be opened on 22nd January, 2020. In the meantime, certain queries were received from 3 firms for which meeting of Joint Purchase & Technical Committee was held on 13th January, 2020 for examination and to reply the queries. The reply has been prepared and DCP/P&L has taken up the matter with PHQ on 23rd January, 2020 for obtaining approval of the competent authority regarding changes made in the RFP (as per the Pre-Bid meeting held with the firms). All out efforts are being made to meet the target set for implementation of the ITMS Project.

Further Recommendation

4.8.8 The Committee notes that the time for implementation of the ITMS project in phased manner has been decided. The Committee notes that phase -1 of the project has been slated to be implemented by July, 2020 and the hiring of consultants is to be done by May, 2020. The Committee also takes note of the progress made so far on the implementation of the project. The Committee hopes that the time lost due to the process initiated for revision of the RFP would be made up and the first phase of the project would be implemented by July, 2020 and the consultants would be hired. The Committee would like to be kept apprised about the progress made with regard to Implementation of the ITMS project.

Recommendation

4.8.9 The Committee notes the efforts of Transport Department, GNCTD in capturing the mobile numbers of 79 lakh vehicles and issuing of draft notification and plan to issue a final notification in November, 2020. The Committee also notices that 28 lakh mobile numbers are to be verified by the NIC. The Committee is aware that the project is being taken up on a pilot basis and success of the project is entirely based on the collection of mobile numbers for effective monitoring. The Committee is concerned at the slow pace at which mobile numbers are being verified. (Para 4.6.19 ibid) Action Taken

4.8.10 The Transport Department, GNCTD has informed that the verification of the mobile numbers are to be carried out by the NIC/Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and they have been informed to do so.

Further Recommendation

4.8.11 The Committee notes that the verification of mobile numbers of the motorists are to be carried out by NIC/Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. The Committee expects that such coordination amongst Ministries is needed if a recommendation is made by a parliamentary 60

Committee which concerns the other Ministries then it is communicated to the concerned Ministry and its reaction is obtained for furnishing the same to the Committee. The Committee therefore recommends that the matter should be pursued with the agencies for early verification of the mobile numbers. The Committee would like to be apprised in this regard.

4.9 Reducing the Number of Registration of Vehicles

Recommendation

4.9.1 The Committee notes that the Government of NCT of Delhi has notified a parking policy-Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules, 2019 that prohibits parking on footpaths and allows municipal bodies to chalk out a plan for parking cars within residential areas. (Para 4.7.4 ibid)

4.9.2 The Committee observes that in many cases the old cars are used very rarely by the owner and are abandoned and remain parked. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Ministry should explore the possibility of registering a new vehicle only when the scrapping/disposal of the old vehicles have been done by the owner of the car and a certificate to that effect that s/he does not own any other car may be obtained from the competent authority for for the same. the Committee further recommends that the Ministry should also take up the issue with the concerned authorities to make it mandatyory for the accupant of the house to have a parking space so that the new car purchased does not remain on the road. (Para 4.7.5 ibid) Action Taken

4.9.3 The recommendations of the Committee have been sent to all the stakeholders.

Further Recommendation

4.9.4 The Committee would like to be apprised of the action taken by the stakeholders.

4.10 Freight Management Plan

Recommendation

4.10.1 The Committee express its strong displeasure on the fact that freight management plan for Delhi has not been formulated till now. (Para 4.10.3 ibid)

4.10.2 The Committee observers that freight traffic on Delhi roads contribute more than 18 % of the total vehicular volume on Delhi Roads. The Committee, therefore, strongly recommends that after due study and assessment of management of freight traffic in other major cities, Government of Delhi along with other agencies should formulate a suitable plan for the freight traffic management in Delhi and NCR and this must be done keeping in mind the fact that least burden is felt during peak hours. The Committee therefore, recommends that infrastructure of suitable nature to commute, transport and dedicated places for boarding and de-boarding of freight materials needs to be earmarked on a priority basis and the timing of freight movement should be regulated/fixed keeping in mind the material being carried by it like whether it is perishable item like food or vegetables or building materials, etc,.

(Para 4.10.4 ibid) 61

4.10.3 The Committee recommends the MHA to have a holistic approach by taking into consideration all the factors including restricting the number of vehicles registered, restricting the entry of vehicles in Delhi, managing the number of private and public vehicles which would have a major impact over the flow of traffic. The Committee strongly recommends that a suitable and sustainable freight transport policy needs to be devised on urgent basis. (Para 4.10.5 ibid) Action Taken

4.10.4 The recommendation of the Committee has been sent to all the stakeholders for consideration and decision.

Further Recommendation

4.10.5 The Committee notes the reply and would like to be apprised of the action taken by stakeholders.

4.11 Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

Recommendation

4.11.1 The Committee appreciates various models prepared by IIT, Delhi regarding decongestion and smooth movement of traffic. The Committee notes that there is lack of coordination among different agencies to the extent that the executing agencies are totally unaware of the research work done by institutes like IIT, Delhi. The Committee strongly recommends that central coordinating and various agencies should carefully consider the research works done by premier research institutes like the IIT, Delhi while framing policies for traffic management in Delhi. (Para 5.1.7 ibid) Action Taken

4.11.2 The recommendation of the Committee has been sent to all the stakeholders for consideration and decision.

Further Recommendation

4.11.3 The Committee notes the reply and recommends that it maybe apprised of the decision/action taken by stakeholders.

4.12 General Observations/recommendations

Recommendation

4.12.1 Besides, the Committee feels that there is an urgent need for more disciplined lane driving in Delhi. For this the width of lane to some extent seems to be responsible. There are situations when in a three lane road four vehicles run together. In this connection, the Committee recommends that there should be standardization of lane width. If required, situation prevailing in some other countries may also be studied. (Para 5.3.2 ibid)

Action Taken

4.12.2 The recommendations of the Committee have been circulated to all the stakeholders of HPC for further appropriate action.

Further Recommendation

4.12.3 The Committee notes the reply and reiterates its recommendation at para 5.3.2 regarding standardization of lane width and the Committee would like to be apprised of the action taken by the stakeholders in this regard.

Recommendation

4.12.4 In Delhi, number of two wheelers is huge and when they run parallel to the four wheelers the situation becomes dangerous. Therefore, Committee feels that feasibility study of having separate lanes for two wheelers may be undertaken. (Para 5.3.5 ibid) Action Taken

4.12.5 The recommendations of the Committee have been circulated to all the stakeholders of HPC for further appropriate action.

Further recommendation

4.12.6 The Committee notes the reply that recommendation has been circulated for appropriate action. The Committee may be apprised about the action taken by the stakeholders in the matter.

Recommendation

4.12.7 The Committee also finds it puzzling that sometimes traffic on roads are left without any signal and before flyovers traffic gets crowded because of merging traffic. It may be because of lack of lane driving and sometimes more lanes merge into fewer lanes. For this concerned agency needs to think out of the box solutions. The role of road designing agencies/Research institutes becomes very important in this connection. (Para 5.3.6 ibid) Action Taken

4.12.8 The observations of the Committee have been circulated to all the stakeholders of HPC for further appropriate action.

Further Recommendation

4.12.9 The Committee notes the reply that recommendation has been circulated for appropriate action. The Committee may be apprised about the action taken in the matter.

Recommendation

4.12.10 The Committee feels that the traffic coming from neighbouring States has fewer approach roads for entering into Delhi like there is only one road i.e. old Rohtak Road for entering into 63

Delhi from North East side. This is for traffic coming from Bahadurgarh side and for going to East, North and Central Delhi. Similarly, there is no approach road for traffic coming from Jhajjar/Badli, Haryana side. The traffic gets struck in Najafgarh as there is no outer/by-lane road to bypass the Najafgarh old city. The Committee therefore, recommends that there is urgent need for a outer road in Najafgarh for smooth passage of traffic entering Delhi. Many more bridges are needed on Najafgarh drain for smooth entry of traffic from that side. (Para 5.3.7 ibid) Action Taken

4.12.11 The recommendations of the Committee have been circulated to all the stakeholders of HPC for further appropriate action.

Further Recommendation

4.12.12 The Committee notes the reply that recommendation has been circulated for appropriate action. The Committee may be apprised about the action taken in the matter.

*****

RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS — AT A GLANCE

Delhi Traffic Police

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 1.1.4)

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H) and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para1.2.3) Municipal Corporations/Council of Delhi

The Committee notes the reply given by the Ministry. (Para 1.3.3)

Rationalization of Buses And Enhancing the Present Fleet of Buses

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 1.4.4)

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 1.4.7)

The Committee takes note of the reply by the Ministry. (Para 1.4.10)

Contribution of Metro in Reducing Vehicles on Roads

The Committee notes the reply as it was just an observation of the Committee. (Para 1.5.3)

Improving Driving Capacity and the Fitness Capacity of the Vehicles and Establishments of Driver Training Schools

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 1.6.4)

Medium Term Plan

The Committee notes the reply as it was just an observation of the Committee. (Para 1.7.3)

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 1.7.7)

Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. 65

(Para 1.8.3) The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 1.8.6)

Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 1.9.3)

The Committee takes notes of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 1.9.6)

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 1.9.9)

General Observations/recommendations

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 1.10.3)

Ministry of Home Affairs

The Committee takes note of the intention of the Ministry that High Powered Committee (HPC) should be headed by Home Secretary and that in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee on Home Affairs, the composition of HPC has been modified by including Members Secretary, National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRB) as a member in the HPC by issuing an order in this regard on 28th February, 2020. (Para2.1.4)

Municipal Corporations/Council of Delhi

The Committee notes the reply given by the Ministry. (Para 2.2.4) Improvement in Parking

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.6)

Lajpat Nagar (Market Area and Residential Area)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.9)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.12)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.15)

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.18)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.21)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.24)

Nehru Place

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.29)

Connaught Place

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.32)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.35)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.38)

The Committee takes note of the reply the Ministry. (Para 2.3.43)

Karol Bagh

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.47 )

Krishna Nagar Market

The Committee takes note of the efforts made by EDMC in filling up the gap of demand and available parking spaces in the area, by identifying more spaces for surface parking and construction of five multilevel Car parking in the area. (Para 2.3.52)

Drafting of Parking Rules

The Committee notes of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.55)

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.3.59)

Retrofitting of 100 Junctions and 77 Identified Corridors

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.4.6)

Complete Street Design for Dwarka Streets

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.5.4) Bicycle sharing Scheme

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.5.7)

Rationalization of Buses And Enhancing the Present Fleet of Buses

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.6.5) The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.6.8) The Committee takes note of the reply from the Ministry. (Para 2.6.12) The Committee takes note of the reply by the Ministry. (Para 2.6.15)

IT Based Management of Traffic

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.7.3) The Committee notes that 55 more Portable Radar Speed Guns have been procured for deployment at high speed corridors to identify the motorists indulging in overspeeding and their subsequent prosecution. The Committee is of the view that assessment of road stretches where Portable Radar Speed Guns would be placed may be made and such more number of Portable Radar Speed Guns should be procured and deployed at such road stretches. (Para 2.7.6)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry (Para 2.7.11)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.7.14)

Contribution of Metro in Reducing Vehicles on Roads

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.8.3) The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.8.7)

Impact of Odd-Even scheme on Delhi Roads

The Committee notes reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.9.4)

Multi-Modal Integration and Management of Traffic and Parking at Metro Stations

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.10.5)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.10.8)

Improving Driving Capacity and the Fitness Capacity of the Vehicles and Establishments of Driver Training Schools

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.11.6) Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.12.3) General Observations/recommendations

The Committee takes note of the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.13.3)

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.13.6)

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 2.13.9)

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoH&UA)

The Committee takes note of the work being undertaken by DDA, DMRC and NDMC like work of improvement of 16 Km road stretch between Dwarka sector 12 and 13 and identified stretch up to NSIT by DDA. The Committee hopes that the works would be completed as per the schedule and all the metro stations would be covered in near future. However, the Committee is pained to note that MHA has not furnished any information on the steps taken for better coordination amongst different agencies for smooth execution of work. The Committee reiterates its recommendation at para 3.4.3 on the need to strengthen the existing coordination mechanism for development of necessary infrastructure. (Para 3.1.5)

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

The Committee takes note of various steps undertaken by DMRC with regard to ensuring the last mile connectivity with the metro stations and for which a subsidiary company with the name “Delhi Metro Last Mile Services limited” has been established. The Committee also takes note of the proposal for procuring 100 AC E-buses to operate on the designated route. The Committee still feels that waiting time set for procuring buses is considerably high, the Committee, therefore, recommends that efforts should be escalated including expediting the procurement of the buses. (Para 3.2.3)

The Committee notes that Multi-modal integration for management of traffic around metro stations has been envisaged for 98 stations out of which work is in progress at two stations. The Committee hopes that the scheme would be finalized and the balance funds of Rs.314.69 crore would be sanctioned by the MoHUA. The Committee however feels that pace of progress of MMI work at metro stations is very tardy and there is a need to accelerate the MMI work at the metro stations. (Para 3.2.4) Govt. of NCT of Delhi

The Committee is still not satisfied with the response and the efforts made to procure and induct new buses in DTC fleet. The procurement process of buses has been very slow and continues to remain so as only 2502 buses could be added during last ten years. The Committee notes further that the matter is struck in court cases and observes that the Government has to find solutions, alternatives to avoid court cases in scuh matters. The Committee therefore once again, reiterates its recommendation for fast tracking the process of procurement of buses in concrete terms with visible results. (Para 3.3.4)

Public Works Department

The Committee takes note that consultants have been engaged to study roads of Delhi to attain the identified short term and medium term objectives at 120 corridors consisting of 783 km of roads and 918 major intersections. But the Committee feels that studying 120 corridors consisting of 783 kms may take time. Therefore, the Committee is of the considered view that instead of waiting for all the 120 corridors, the study should identify corridors as territory-wise, severity-wise and give its report progressively instead of in one go. This will result in simultaneous work on corridors which have been studied. This would expedite the process of improvement. (Para 3.4.7)

Municipal Corporations/Council of Delhi

The Committee is constrained to express its displeasure at the lack of coordination amongst NDMC and various project executing agencies. The NDMC being the nodal municipal agency in the area should have been a party to the projects undertaken by various agencies in the colonies falling under the NDMC area. The NDMC in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs should have better coordinating mechanism with other agencies in its area. The Committee takes note that a traffic study and simulation on some important corridor roads such as SP Marg, Simon Bouliver Marg had been conducted. The Committee is of the view that a comprehensive study with participation of concerned agencies should be preferred than doing it alone. Further, the view of the NDMC that intervention at Tughlak Road Rotary is not feasible is defeatist. The Committee recommends that some out of box idea needs to be explored to carry out intervention at the Tughlak Road Rotary. (Para 3.5.3)

Delhi Development of Authority (DDA) and Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC)

The Committee is not satisfied with the evasive response of the NDMC, SDMC and North DMC as the details of the official entrusted with the accountability for implementing the decision with regard to removal of encroachments have not been provided. (Para 3.6.7)

The Committee therefore, recommends that the Ministry of Home Affairs should furnish a status report regarding action taken by implementing agencies for removal of encroachments in EDMC, North DMC, SDMC and NDMC areas. (Para 3.6.8) National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB)

The Committee takes note of the fact that matter regarding uniform taxation policy for inter-state movement of vehicles in the NCR Region is being followed up in the meetings of the Committee of Transport Commissioners/Secretaries (CoTS) of the NCR States last meeting held on 12.12.2019. The Committee is baffled to note that when the Committee has presented its report on 11.12.2019 how the matter can be followed up in the meeting of CoTS held on 12.12.2019. The Committee, therefore, reiterates its recommendation on need to have uniform taxation policy for inter-state movement of vehicles from neighbouring States of Delhi. (Para 3.7.6)

Improvement in Parking

The Committee notes that a live parking application has been developed by Lajpat Nagar market Association to display the status of occupancy of the parking bays in the parking in the market area which would be helpful to shoppers and traders in the matter. The Committee, however, is dismayed that EMCD will issue the directions to contractors for implementation Committee's recommendations. DDA has given instructions to CEs to comply with the recommendations of the Committee while North MCD will issue the directions to contractors for carrying out the recommendations of the Committee. The Committee expect a better reply. Not only instructions but actions must have been taken. The Committee therefore reiterates the said recommendations. (Para 3.8.6)

The Committee is perplexed by the reply that the Transport Department, GNCT of Delhi has notified the “Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules, 2019” on 23rd September, 2019 and civil agencies/local bodies are mandated to prepare Area Parking plans and further action pertains to by these agencies. If parking Rules have been notified, are they cast in stone and no improvement therein possible. The Transport Department of GNCT of Delhi should have applied its mind before furnishing a cryptic reply. The Committee, therefore, once again reiterates its recommendation at para 4.2.9. (Para 3.8.9)

Lajpat Nagar (Market Area and Residential Area)

The Committee is aware of the trend of exponential increase in vehicle volumes and with the passage of time, the gap between the stagnant number of parking space and increase in demand for parking space will widen. So, the Committee expresses its apprehension that sooner than later the SDMC would be compelled to use the street spaces and other utility spaces nullifying its effort of enforcing parking management in the area. Also, the area would become congested with cars and other vehicles parked on the road stretches restricting the movement of vehicles. The Committee therefore, once again reiterates its recommendation at para 4.2.20 and recommends that construction of MLCPs at suitable places should be taken up on priority. (Para 3.8.12)

Connaught Place

The Committee is constrained to express its unhappiness with the reply that designated parking has not been provided around Patiala House Court. The very purpose of making the recommendation of the Committee was that since there was no designated parking for Patiala House Courts therefore one is needed to be created/provided. The Committee reiterates its recommendation at para 4.2.53 for construction of designated parking facilities around prominent places either exclusively or on shared basis. Meanwhile, appropriate arrangements may be put in place to ensure that vehicles are guided to the available parking places near the High Court so as to avoid traffic jams around Patiala Court. The Committee recommends that the matter of providing a parking space and applying the Smart Parking Management System thereon should be taken up by the High Powered Committee. (Para 3.8.15)

Kamla Nagar Market

The Committee notes that market area parking and traffic management plans under implementation in the area and also the multi-level parking at Kamla Nagar is being installed for providing automatic parking and retrieving of vehicles. The Committee, however, finds that ATN is silent on its recommendation of expediting allocation of funds for the project. (Para 3.8.18)

Drafting of Parking Rules

The Committee takes note of the reply and recommends that MHA should seek the comments of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, on the issue and apprise the Committee thereof. (Para 3.8.21)

Complete Street Design for Dwarka Streets

The Committee has noted the comments of the Ministry and recommends that ATN on the recommendation may be furnished without going into the semantics. (Para 3.9.4)

Rationalization of Buses And Enhancing the Present Fleet of Buses

The Committee feels that there is no relation between recommendation made by the Committee and ATN submitted thereon. The Committee therefore reiterates its recommendation. (Para 3.10.3)

Fitting of security features like GPS and women helpline button in buses for safety of women

The Committee believes that installation of security devices like GPS in the buses and introduction of electronic ticketing machines would ensure security to the passengers and provide real-time information. However, the Committee finds the ATN evasive as no details of policy decision on installation/ upgradation of bus stops have been provided. Therefore, the Committee reiterates its recommendation. (Para 3.11.3)

IT Based Management of Traffic

The Committee feels that inputs for the said recommendation of he Committee should have been taken from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)and therefore reiterates its recommendation. (Para 3.12.3) The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. (Para 3.12.7)

Diversion of non Delhi bound vehicles from entering Delhi

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry. The Committee feels that comments of GNCT of Delhi should have been obtained on this recommendation of the Committee. (Para 3.13.6)

The Committee also desires to be informed about the coordination mechanism with state Government of Haryana like the one with Government of Uttar Pradesh. (Para 3.13.7) Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)

The Committee notes the reply and feels that some mechanism needs to be instituted under the HPC to specifically scrutinise various proposal for development of infrastructure and sensitize those are making plan to assess the effect of implementation of the proposals on needs/mobility of these sections of the society. (Para 3.14.3) Public Works Department (PWD)

The Committee takes note that the Indian Road Standards (IRC-67) guidelines are followed in installation of the signage and the audit of signage on roads is being done to ascertain their utility by the PWD. The Committee feels that in the first place wrong signages should not be placed and if it is found that it has been done then responsibility of both the contractor and concerned officer(s) needs to be fixed to obviate such wasteful/unproductive exercise. (Para 4.1.3)

Municipal Corporations/Council of Delhi

The Committee notes the reply of the Ministry for various works undertaken by NDMC for safe movement of pedestrians, cyclists, women and important persons in NDMC area/Luyten’s Delhi. However, the Committee recommends that planned seamless connectivity for pedestrian walkway/footpath and dedicated cycle track along the Avenue roads needs to be expedited and the Committee may be informed of the action taken. Similarly exercise of dedicated cycle track needs to be put on fast track. (Para 4.2.6) The Committee notes that the MLP project has been undertaken by North DMC and would like to be apprised about the details of places identified, timeline and cost in this regard. Further, the Committee hopes that the multi-level car parking would be fitted with latest technology to save time and fuel of the motorists. (Para 4.2.9)

The Committee expresses its disatisfaction over not providing any details of the action taken on removing encroachment in the Area. The Committee is aware that many commercial areas are located in North DMC and the menace of both permanent and temporary 73 encroachments is rampant. The Committee desires to be apprised about the status on removal of encroachment and the strategy being applied to deter the possible encroachments in future. (Para 4.2.10)

National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB)

The Committee takes note that a representative of the National Capital Regional Planning Board (NCRPB) has been included as one of the members of the High Powered Committee, in accordance to its recommendation. However, the Committee finds that no reply in relation to its recommendations on lack of coordination amongst concerned States of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan has been furnished. The Committee expresses its displeasure over not apprising it about the action taken for inclusion of representatives of Planning Boards from the concerned States in the High Powered Committee and recommends to furnish a reply therefor too. (Para 4.3.3)

Improvement in Parking

Bhikaji Cama Place

The Committee takes note of the Traffic Improvement Plan of Bikhaji Cama Place taken up by DDA but the recommendation of the Committee was for expediting the Multi-Level Car parking. The Committee, therefore, reiterates its recommendation. (Para 4.4.6)

Retrofitting of 100 Junctions and 77 Identified Corridors

The Committee takes note that the task forces have been constituted by the Delhi Traffic Police to carryout the various tasks in 77 identified corridors and the matter is being taken up with PWD and concerned agencies for timely completion of the tasks. However, the Committee is constrained to note that the pace of work is slow and 454 tasks are still under progress as per the data furnished by the Delhi Traffic Police. The Committee also takes note of the reply of the PWD, Delhi that a company viz. Medulla Soft Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has been engaged to study roads of Delhi with short-term, medium term and long term objectives. The Committee hopes that the retrofitting work would be carried out by obtaining necessary approval of the Delhi Traffic Police and other concerned authorities without any delay. The Committee may be apprised on the progress made in this regard. (Para 4.5.7)

Complete Street Design for Dwarka Streets

The Committee takes note that recommendation has been sent to all the stakeholders for compliance. The Committee, however, observes that HPC should put in place a mechanism for regular quality check of the completed work by an independent agency and follow up the recommendation/report of that agency meticulously. (Para 4.6.3)

Fitting of security features like GPS and women helpline button in buses for safety of women

The Committee takes note that Master Service Agreements for installation of CCTV, Panic Button and GPS devices in the existing DTC and Cluster buses has been signed. The 74

Committee hopes that all the DTC buses and the remaining Cluster buses would be fitted with the security devices as per the set schedule. The Committee would like to be apprised about the status of completion of the work. (Para 4.7.5)

The Committee notes that a study on bus Route Rationalization and Last Mile Connectivity for providing an efficient public transport system has been conducted by DIMTS and the report is under examination of the Transport Department for its implementation. The Committee hopes that the implemention of the route rationalization based on the outcome of the study, would help in managing the bus operations more efficiently. The Committee would like to be apprised about the outcome of the study. (Para 4.7.8)

IT Based Management of Traffic

The Committee feels that if the system is working satisfactorily then why it is still in pilot stage. The Committee recommends that efforts should be made to expand the ITMS to all the locations. The Committee may also be apprised about the progress made in this regard. (Para 4.8.4)

The Committee notes that the time for implementation of the ITMS project in phased manner has been decided. The Committee notes that phase -1 of the project has been slated to be implemented by July, 2020 and the hiring of consultants is to be done by May, 2020. The Committee also takes note of the progress made so far on the implementation of the project. The Committee hopes that the time lost due to the process initiated for revision of the RFP would be made up and the first phase of the project would be implemented by July, 2020 and the consultants would be hired. The Committee would like to be kept apprised about the progress made with regard to Implementation of the ITMS project. (Para 4.8.8)

The Committee notes that the verification of mobile numbers of the motorists are to be carried out by NIC/Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. The Committee expects that such coordination amongst Ministries is needed if a recommendation is made by a parliamentary Committee which concerns the other Ministries then it is communicated to the concerned Ministry and its reaction is obtained for furnishing the same to the Committee. The Committee therefore recommends that the matter should be pursued with the agencies for early verification of the mobile numbers. The Committee would like to be apprised in this regard. (Para 4.8.11)

Reducing the Number of Registration of Vehicles

The Committee would like to be apprised of the action taken by the stakeholders. (Para 4.9.4) Freight Management Plan

The Committee notes the reply and would like to be apprised of the action taken by stakeholders. (Para 4.10.5)

Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

The Committee notes the reply and recommends that it maybe apprised of the decision/action taken by stakeholders. (Para 4.11.3)

General Observations/recommendations

The Committee notes the reply and reiterates its recommendation at para 5.3.2 regarding standardization of lane width and the Committee would like to be apprised of the action taken by the stakeholders in this regard. (Para 4.12.3)

The Committee notes the reply that recommendation has been circulated for appropriate action. The Committee may be apprised about the action taken by the stakeholders in the matter. (Para 4.12.6)

The Committee notes the reply that recommendation has been circulated for appropriate action. The Committee may be apprised about the action taken in the matter. (Para 4.12.9)

The Committee notes the reply that recommendation has been circulated for appropriate action. The Committee may be apprised about the action taken in the matter. (Para 4.12.12)

*****

MINUTES

XVII

SEVENTEENTH MEETING

The Committee met at 11.30 A.M. on Friday, the 11th September, 2020 in Room No. G- 074, Ground Floor, Parliament House Library Building, New Delhi.

MEMBERS PRESENT

1. Shri Anand Sharma - Chairman

RAJYA SABHA

2. Shri P. Bhattacharya 3. Dr. Anil Jain 4. Shri Neeraj Shekhar 5. Shri Rakesh Sinha 6. Shri Bhupender Yadav

LOK SABHA

7. Shri Sanjay Bhatia 8. Shri Dulal Chandra Goswami 9. Shri Ranjeetsinha Hindurao Naik Nimbalkar 10. Shri Lalubhai Babubhai Patel 11. Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram 12. Shri Rajveer Singh (Raju Bhaiya) 13. Shri Ravneet Singh

SECRETARIAT Shri Vimal Kumar, Joint Secretary Dr. (Smt.) Subhashree Panigrahi, Director Shri Ashwani Kumar, Additional Director Shri Pritam Kumar, Under Secretary

2. At the outset, the Chairman welcomed the Members and informed them about the agenda of the meeting, i.e., to consider and adopt the following four draft Reports of the Committee:- (i) xxx xxx xxx;

(ii) xxx xxx xxx;

(iii) 228th Report on Action Taken by Government on the Recommendations/ Observations contained in the Two Hundred Twenty Second Report on the Management of Worsening Traffic Situation in Delhi; and

(iv) xxx xxx xxx.

3. The Chairman informed the Committee that the Committee has presented/laid six Reports in the Rajya Sabha/Lok Sabha during its tenure and thanked all the Members for cooperation, support and participation. 4. The Chairman further informed the Committee that the last two meetings of the Committee held on 19th August, 2020 for 4 hours 12 minutes and 27th August, 2020 for 4 hours 45 minutes have set records as no Standing Committee has met for such a long time without a break. He also appreciated the work done by the officials in the Secretariat as they have worked for long hours to prepare the Reports despite the constraints. 5. xxx xxx xxx. 6. xxx xxx xxx. 7. The Committee took up the draft 228th Report for consideration and adoption and adopted it without any change. 8. xxx xxx xxx. 9. xxx xxx xxx. 10. The Committee also appreciated the Report and the Action Taken Report on the subject ‘Management of Worsening Traffic Situation in Delhi’ and observed that it would prove to be a good Report in making Delhi a best city. 11. A Verbatim record of proceeding of the meeting was kept. 12. The Committee, then, adjourned at 12:40 p.m.

NEW DELHI DR. (SMT.) SUBHASHREE PANIGRAHI 11th September, 2020 DIRECTOR

xxx Relates to other matters.

ANNEXURE