Roads to be repaired only at night

The Delhi government has decided that road repair work will be carried out only at night.

The decision comes after the Capital was witness to major traffic jams caused by repair work on Bhairon Marg and the Defence Colony flyover.

“The government has directed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Public Works Department (PWD) to take up maximum possible construction and repair during night hours to avoid traffic jams,” said Transport Minister Gopal Rai.

Mr. Rai added that the government has identified five points where traffic congestion is being reported. These points are Dhaula Kuan, Nehru Place, Sangam Vihar, Bhairon Marg and ITO.

“At Dhaula Kuan, Nehru Place and Bhairon Marg, the DMRC, PWD and DJB are taking up construction or repair works that are causing traffic jams,” he said.

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has now directed all its depot managers to identify the points of hurdles and inform the government so that it can find a solution to ensure smooth traffic, the Minister added.

“During road repair work, we have to shut a carriageway or a stretch. But that leads to traffic jams, particularly during peak hours. So, it has been decided that repair work will be carried out only at night. We had advised the same to the traffic police before closing a stretch of the Defence Colony flyover,” said a Public Works Department official.

The ongoing dismantling of the BRT and repair of the Defence Colony Flyover triggered major traffic jams across South Delhi.

“Emergency work will take place during the day, but routine maintenance will happen at night. We have seen that work at night is completed faster than during the day. It saves the cost of the project and increases productivity,” said the official.

For repair of arterial roads and flyover, the PWD has taken up repair in the night. For instance, repair work for the ITO Bridge and Nizamuddin Bridge took place after 10:30 p.m.

“The decks were raised at night and repair work went off smoothly with no traffic jams,” the official added.

However, road-cutting work will take place during the day, which usually takes more time than repairing the road itself.

For better coordination, civic agencies, such as the Delhi Jal Board, BSES and IGL, have submitted annual plans in advance.

Decision comes after city saw huge traffic jams due to repair work on Bhairon Marg