New road might not solve traffic problems at Anand Vihar ISBT

NEW DELHI: Identified as Delhi’s worst pollution hotspot last year, the Anand Vihar Inter-state Bus Terminal (ISBT) continues to be so. Meanwhile, an action plan to improve conditions at the terminal, where three modes of transport— bus, railway and Metro — meet, has remained in a limbo for over a year.

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal took stock of the situation at the ISBT on Monday during a meeting with the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA).

He directed the Northern Railway to expedite work on opening a new road completely to the public, as well as completing a second approach road to reduce congestion.

Railway officials said that a new road to serve as a separate entry to the ISBT was thrown open to traffic on Sunday. Street lighting and installation of signage are yet to be completed on the second approach road — a four-lane stretch built by the Northern Railway authorities.

The delay in the completion of the work was flagged by the EPCA as one of the major issues causing traffic problems around Anand Vihar.

However, according to railway authorities, the opening of the road might serve to exacerbate traffic woes by increasing congestion.

“The stretch is likely to become more congested , as pri- vate bus operators will still park their buses there at night. Plus, illegal hawking is an issue,” a senior railway official, on the condition of anonymity, said.

According to officials, pedestrians use the same stretch, increasing congestion further.

“With the opening of the second approach road, there will be two entries connecting the bus terminal and the railway station each, reducing congestion,” EPCA chairman Bhure Lal said.

The lack of a demarcated parking space, providing connectivity to commuters through an integrated network, as well as proper public conveniences at the railway station are issues that still need to be addressed to improve the condition of the overcrowded terminal, he added.