YOUTH IN OKHLA HELP COPS MANAGE TRAFFIC
As the clocks strike 5 pm, a group of young men from Okhla step out of their cozy homes in the blistering heat and gather at Batla House bus stand and spread out over a few kilometres.
For the next two hours, they help police manage traffic in the congested roads, till it is time for iftar.
The noble gesture during the Ramzan month, has earned the youth praise in their locality.
Mahmood Ahmed, a local social activist who is part of the group, says, “Our purpose is to ensure nobody is struck in traffic during the crucial iftar time. Nobody wants to waste hours honking. We make sure that one’s way home is hassle free.”
In the last few days, the group has been managing traffic and talking and guiding drivers to reach their destination.
“At times, it becomes difficult. We too are fasting and some people stuck in jams are high on temper. But we make sure that we are polite with them. Most of them agree seeing our politeness,” says Mohamad Shiraz, another volunteer.
The group is also getting hep from the police administration and during the peak hours some policemen are also deployed in the area.
Of late, traffic barricades have been put up on the roads of Jamia Nagar, leading to unidirectional traffic. As a result, traffic movement has smoothen and jams reduced.
“There were times where I spent hours stuck in traffic and even did iftar inside my car, despite being metres away from home. But now, it’s a great feeling to see some young men doing noble work which is helping thousands in the area,” said Atir, an Okhla resident.