Some of Delhi’s complaints during monsoons include traffic congestion, uprooted trees, and potholed roads. The Meteorological Department issued an alert due to the continuous rainfall during the last 48 hours. Schools have been closed. Waterlogged roads and overflowing drains might result in accidents and deaths. Speaking to The Statesman, the Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) S.S. Yadav, shared the preparedness to deal with any kind of eventuality with Chandrani Banerjee.

Q: The water-logging is a huge problem for the capital city.  This means there are huge traffic snarls and how is the Delhi police managing this problem?

A: This is a serious challenge. There was water-logging following heavy rain since morning hours, which resulted in traffic snarls across the city. Calls of traffic congestion, failure of traffic signals, and waterlogging as well as the uprooting of trees and potholes on the roads were received in the Traffic Control Room. Incidences of power failure were reported in many parts of the city which resulted in the non-functioning of signals and manning of signalized intersections by traffic personnel to regulate traffic. However, the heavy rainfall that has broken records in the past 48 hours has been successfully managed without any major incidents. We have ensured that the traffic keeps moving and there are no long queues on the road.

Q: Loss of lives and accidents etc are normal in such adverse weather. What plans are put in place for smooth ground management?

A: Approximately 3450 Traffic police personnel were deployed for the same who regulated the traffic in entire Delhi using raincoats and gum boots. Messages through Traffic Control Room were also flashed to the control rooms of other civic agencies like NDMC, PWD, MCD, etc who were involved and pressed into action. Control rooms are in constant touch. They are also involved in using local resources and manpower and attending to the situation and calls with due alertness, alacrity, and promptness.

Q: Which stretches of roads are heavily waterlogged and need to be avoided?

A: As of now following are some of the roads to be avoided: Pragati Maidan Tunnel in Tilak Marg Circle, Tikri Kalan in Nangloi Circle, Sawaran Park in Nangloi Circle, Phase 1m B Block in Mangolpuri in Paschim Vihar Circle, Tata Showroom in Punjabi bagh Circle, Nigam Bodh Ghat in Kotwali Circle, Boulevard Road in front of Tis Hazari court road in Civil Lines circle, Burari 100 feet Road in Timarpur Circle, Railway under bridge Azad Market in Sadar Bazar Circle, Gazipur Dairy Farm in Kalyan Puri Circle and Zakira to Moti Nagar in Punjabi Bagh Circle. These roads are heavily waterlogged. The locations of fallen trees have been identified in Sangam Vihar circle and some pothole locations have also been identified and an advisory has been issued in interest to save any untoward incidents.

Q: How is the road caving dealt with since heavy rainfalls are a big challenge?

A: The Traffic Control Room flashes messages to all divisional commissioners and traffic ranges including the assistant commissioners of traffic districts and traffic intersections and traffic circles to mobilize the maximum number of staff, and motorcycle patrol teams to ensure public safety. Areas like Janakpuri, Rohini, etc have seen witnessed incidents of caving-in of roads. The Delhi Traffic Police has been constantly working on the roads and keeping an eye. This has proved to be very helpful to plan better and avoid any untoward incidents. Disaster Management Vehicles and cranes in the field were put in place to ensure manual regulation of traffic at intersections where there was no power supply, removal of broken down vehicles, uprooted trees, and restoration of the normal flow of traffic.

Q: Hospitalisation will go on and it will not wait for the heavy rainfall. Since the traffic will be slow on the road due to the rains, how is the traffic police planning to tackle it?

A: Yes that is right. We have instructed and ensured that there is free passage given to the ambulance.

Q: Is there any joint planning with other civic agencies along with Delhi Traffic Police to avoid loss of lives due to overflowing and open drains

A:  The Delhi Traffic Police is working in close coordination with civic agencies like the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the local administration. This is all to ensure public safety.