NEW DELHI: Most arterial roads will soon feature specialised markings to segregate bus lanes from other modes of transport. Delhi government’s transport department is implementing a pilot project of improved road marking for bus lanes in collaboration with IIT-Delhi.
A similar project will be implemented on other major roads maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD).
The pilot project is being implemented between the Raja Garden junction and Britannia Chowk to facilitate movement of non-motorised transport and pedestrians, along with buses and other vehicles.
In a presentation at the meeting of the State Road Safety Council chaired by transport minister Kailash Gahlot on Wednesday, the department said it would conduct training of engineers to harmonise the road marking system across all PWD roads.
The council acts as an apex body in the state to oversee and monitor road safety measures, advise the government on policies and prescribe and enforce standards and procedures. It also reviews and formulates schemes, projects and programmes, and coordinates the functions of all agencies and departments discharging duties relating to road safety.
Addressing the stakeholders during the meeting, Gahlot mentioned that the role of district magistrates was critical in the success of road safety initiatives and the ongoing bus lane discipline drive. He added that they should be deeply involved in the drive and ensure that bus lanes were clear of encroachments. The further stated that they should utilise the district road safety committees to meet stakeholders for effective implementation of initiatives.
Delhi government’s bus lane enforcement drive has seen more than 45,000 challans being issued since April 1 during the first phase along the inner and outer Ring Road. In the following phases, all major roads would be covered under the drive.
The transport department has identified 14 fatality-prone intersections, which would be redesigned and improved for reduction of crashes. It has selected Rajendra Nagar for overall road safety improvement under its neighbourhood improvement initiative. One school from each of the 11 revenue districts has been identified for improvement as a safer zone.
