Latest news with #DelhiTransportDepartment
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Delhi Eyes Rs 6,000 Crore Elevated Corridor Over Ring Road To Ease Traffic
New Delhi: In a bid to decongest one of Delhi's most saturated traffic corridors, the city government is planning to construct an elevated corridor over the 55-kilometre-long Inner Ring Road - a lifeline now buckling under the weight of urban expansion, vehicle surge, and crumbling infrastructure. The project, still in early stages, is being designed with a toll-based revenue model to reduce government expenditure and ensure sustainable maintenance. According to sources, the Public Works Department (PWD) has been asked to initiate the process of appointing a consultant and preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR). The proposed corridor could cost between Rs 5,500 crore to Rs 6,000 crore, translating to approximately Rs 100 crore per kilometre, in line with recent benchmarks for elevated infrastructure in urban India. PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, confirming the development, said, "We've directed officials to expedite the appointment of a consultant. The DPR will examine both technical feasibility and traffic diversion models, ensuring minimal disruption during construction." The elevated road is envisioned as a "premium corridor", rising above the existing Inner Ring Road and offering signal-free, high-speed access for users willing to pay a toll. It's modeled on dual-layered traffic solutions designed to separate local and through traffic. The Inner Ring Road was originally intended as a peripheral bypass to divert traffic away from central Delhi. At the time, the capital had fewer than 3 million residents. Today, the National Capital Region (NCR) houses over 30 million, and vehicle registrations in Delhi alone have crossed 1.4 crore, according to the Delhi Transport Department. The corridor today features several signalised intersections, multiple unregulated access points, and service lanes frequently used for illegal parking, all contributing to perpetual choke points. According to the 2024 Delhi Traffic Police Survey, 12 of the city's 134 worst congestion hotspots lie on either the Inner or Outer Ring Road, including Ashram, Dhaula Kuan, Moolchand, and ITO. The elevated route is expected to extend up to 80 kilometres, when factoring in loops, ramps, interchanges, and connectors to integrate seamlessly with existing road networks and reduce conflict points. The Delhi government believes the elevated project could bring significant relief to commuters and is positioning the project as a major infrastructure upgrade, part of a broader strategy to moderniSe the city's road network and reduce time lost to traffic snarls. As Delhi pushes ahead with an elevated Ring Road corridor - its most ambitious intra-city road project in recent years - commuters are watching with hope and skepticism. Will the capital finally untangle its traffic snarls? Or will it simply move the gridlock higher up?
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
From pink to plastic: Delhi's buses get Saheli smart card
Delhi government will soon introduce the Saheli Smart Card , a travel pass featuring the holder's name and photo, to provide free rides for women and transgender residents of Delhi aged 12 and above on Delhi Transport Department (DTC) and cluster buses. DTC has issued an expression of interest to roll out the project. A senior official said the card will be issued under the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) system and allow eligible users to avail free travel benefits digitally. The card will not replace the pink ticket system; instead, it will be introduced as an additional facility. The card will also have recharge and top-up functionality for use on other transit modes, like Delhi Metro. To acquire the digital card, applicants must provide valid proof of residence and complete registration through the official DTC portal. They must select a participating bank for card issuance and complete full KYC verification at their selected bank branch by submitting documents such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport-sized photographs, and proof of Delhi residence. After successful verification, the issuing bank will dispatch the smart card directly to the applicant's registered residential address. Once activated via DTC's automatic fare collection system, the card would allow unlimited free travel on all DTC and cluster buses. While the card can be topped up for use on other transit systems like the Metro, the free travel benefit is restricted solely to bus services under this scheme. The official said while government will not charge commuters for travel, issuing banks may levy a nominal card issuance or maintenance fee according to their policies. Lost cards must be reported to the issuing bank for replacement as per the bank's terms. Chief minister Rekha Gupta, in her recent Budget Day address, had criticised the previous administration's paper ticket system, calling it a major source of corruption. She had also said that the facility would now be for Delhi women only. Another official stated that the integration of buses and Metro through NCMC as primary transit modes will pave the way for incorporating additional transport options, such as autorickshaws and taxis, in the future and significantly enhance commuter convenience. According to officials, implementing a comprehensive digital solution will eliminate possibilities of theft and pilferage. Sources in government said the card would help government in its future plan to ensure the free bus ride scheme for women, launched during AAP's tenure, is available to women residing in Delhi only. Transport minister Pankaj Singh had said earlier that government was planning to include this rider soon. However, as of now, the pink ticket system will continue. Officials said at a later stage, government will also use the mobile app feature to buy online tickets and concessional daily or monthly passes. Pink passes, issued to women passengers for free travel on DTC and cluster bus service in the city, have shown steady and consistent growth, shows data. In 2020-21, pink tickets accounted for 25 per cent of total sales. The figure rose to 28 per cent in 2021-22 and 33 per cent in 2022-23. The year 2023-24 saw a significant uptick, with pink tickets comprising 46 per cent of tickets sold. In 2023-24, DTC recorded a daily average passenger ridership of nearly 26 lakh while the figure for cluster buses stood at 16.4 lakh, according to the data. The free bus travel scheme for women, launched by Delhi government on Oct 29, 2019, is applicable on DTC and cluster buses operated by Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Limited.
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Indian Express
Fuel ban on old vehicles: Dealers oppose clause to penalise petrol pump owners, move Delhi HC
The Delhi Petrol Dealers Association and a petrol pump from Yamuna Vihar have moved the Delhi High Court challenging a May 13 order issued by the Delhi government, which was followed by a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) issued on June 17, putting the onus on petrol pumps to ensure that no fuel is provided to end-of-life vehicles in the Capital. Justice Mini Pushkarna on Wednesday sought a response from the Delhi Transport Department and the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas in this regard. The court will hear the matter next on September 8. The petitioners have objected to a clause, which seeks to prosecute and penalise petrol pump or fuel station owners under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, if found to be in contravention of the government's stipulations for not providing fuel to end-of-life vehicles. Highlighting that they are' not fundamentally opposed' to the government's directions restricting fuel supply to the end-of-life vehicles, and are otherwise 'willing to extend all forms of cooperation', the petitioners submitted their only objection is to the 'excessive, irrational and disproportionate liability being fastened upon them by way of seeking to prosecute and penalise them under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, even in situations where non-compliance may be due to sheer inadvertence'. They submitted that the government's order and SOP have 'burdened the petrol pump owners and their attendants, with the additional responsibility of implementing the said rule without them being necessarily equipped or authorised under any law to carry out such a responsibility'. They further said that the orders are 'arbitrary, irrational, unreasonable and disproportionate for the reason that they seek to penalise the petrol pump owners for acts which may arise from sheer inadvertence and for reasons which are beyond the control of the petrol pump owners and their attendants'.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Delhi fuel ban: Only 80 end-of-life vehicles seized amid low turnout
Only 80 end-of-life vehicles were seized on the first day of Delhi's newly enforced fuel ban targeting overage vehicles, with officials attributing the low number to reduced vehicle turnout at fuel stations. According to official records, Delhi has approximately 60.14 lakh deregistered EoL vehicles, of which a significant number remain in active use. ( Sanchit Khanna/HT) Effective since July 1, the ban prohibits fuel stations across the National Capital from dispensing petrol or diesel to end-of-life (EoL) vehicles, defined as petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years. The measure, spearheaded by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and enforced by the Delhi Transport Department, aims to curb vehicular emissions and improve the city's deteriorating air quality. "A total of 80 vehicles were impounded altogether by all agencies," Delhi Transport Commissioner Niharika Rai told ANI. When asked why the number is relatively low, Rai said, "Vehicles came out less only today." She refused to comment on whether the number is expected to rise. According to official records, Delhi has approximately 60.14 lakh deregistered EoL vehicles, of which a significant number remain in active use. Data from the VAHAN database indicates that the city has over 62 lakh EoL vehicles, including 41 lakh two-wheelers and 18 lakh four-wheelers. The latest enforcement drive, based on Direction No. 89 issued by CAQM on April 23, 2025, mandates fuel station operators to deny fuel, display mandatory signage, and report non-compliance weekly. Violations by fuel stations may lead to penalties under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, while EoL vehicles caught refueling face impoundment and legal action. The implementation is backed by an advanced Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system installed at 498 fuel stations and three ISBTs. These cameras instantly scan license plates and verify details via the centralised VAHAN database. Non-compliant vehicles are flagged, fuel denied, and alerts sent to enforcement agencies for further action including impoundment and scrapping. Between June 1 and June 23, 2025, over 77.8 lakh vehicles were screened using the ANPR system, identifying 1.36 lakh as end-of-life. Additionally, 8.05 lakh vehicles renewed their Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) during the same period. Speaking on the initiative, Special CP Traffic Management Ajay Chaudhary said, "We have seized 16 vehicles, mostly two-wheelers, from petrol stations for violating the fuel ban. The awareness generated through media and public outreach has led to a lower turnout of EoL vehicles." The enforcement drive will expand to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat from November 1, while the rest of the NCR will follow from April 1, 2026. Over 100 dedicated enforcement teams from the Delhi Transport Department are monitoring real-time data to target fuel stations with high EoL vehicle visits and ensure compliance.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Fuel ban, scrapping: How Delhi-NCR plans to get rid of overaged vehicles
From July 1, your vehicle could be denied fuel at a petrol pump in Delhi if it's overage — 10 years for diesel vehicles and 15 years for petrol ones. Classified as End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), these will be automatically flagged through surveillance systems as part of a comprehensive action plan rolled out by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reduce vehicular pollution in the National Capital Region. The enforcement drive will begin in Delhi and gradually expand to the rest of NCR in phases, as outlined in directions issued by CAQM in April. The central tool in this effort is a network of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, now operational at all 520 fuel stations in Delhi. These systems, linked to the VAHAN database, are designed to detect overaged and non-compliant vehicles in real time. From July 1, when a vehicle enters a fuel station in Delhi, ANPR cameras will scan the licence plate and instantly cross-check details against the VAHAN registry. If the vehicle is flagged as ELV or lacking a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), the system will issue an audio alert to the operator. For example, the alert may say: 'DL XX XX XXXX is an EoL vehicle. Not to be fuelled.' Fuel station staff have been instructed to deny fuel to such vehicles. Enforcement teams comprising officials from the Delhi Transport Department and Delhi Traffic Police will make periodic rounds to monitor compliance. Apart from denying fuel to ELVs flagged by the system, the broader enforcement plan also includes impounding flagged vehicles, scrapping through Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) in NCR, and issuing No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for owners wishing to transfer such vehicles out of Delhi. Key dates in the action plan: – July 1: Enforcement begins in Delhi. – October 31: Plan comes into effect in five High Vehicle Density districts — Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Sonipat. – April 1, 2026: Rest of NCR. As per official data, Delhi has 62 lakh end-of-life vehicles, including 41 lakh two-wheelers and 18 lakh four-wheelers. The rest of the NCR has another 44 lakh ELVs, underscoring the scale of the cleanup exercise. Officials said traffic surveillance cameras and Integrated Command and Control Centres will also be used to monitor road traffic and identify overaged vehicles still in circulation. The enforcement teams will issue penalties and initiate impoundments based on real-time data. This plan is grounded in a series of legal directives: a 2015 National Green Tribunal order prohibiting the use of overaged vehicles; a 2018 Supreme Court ruling upholding this ban; and the 2021 vehicle scrapping policy by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Under current rules, vehicles impounded for a second time will be sent directly to RVSFs. Owners of vehicles from outside Delhi-NCR can be fined Rs 10,000 for four-wheeler ELVs and Rs 5,000 for two-wheeler ELVs. Owners may apply for release within three weeks of impoundment, and authorities are to decide on such applications within seven days. So far, 3.63 crore vehicles have been screened under the ANPR system in Delhi. Of these, 4.90 lakh have been identified as End-of-Life. Since the system's trial launch in December 2024, 29.52 lakh vehicles have renewed their PUCCs, and fines worth Rs 168 crore have been issued for violations. According to Dr Virender Sharma, Member (Technical) at CAQM, the transition to a tech-driven approach was necessary due to poor enforcement under manual systems. 'The orders existed, but implementation was weak. This new system brings real-time, on-ground enforcement through technology,' he said. Dr Sharma added that older vehicles such as BS-III emit up to six times more NOx and 4.5 times more Particulate Matter than BS-VI compliant vehicles, making their removal critical to the region's air quality, especially ahead of the winter smog season. The CAQM has clarified that BS VI-compliant vehicles in petrol, diesel, CNG, and EV categories are widely available and will continue to be allowed on roads. The goal of the plan is to systematically liquidate the most polluting segment of the vehicle fleet, thereby reducing Delhi-NCR's transport sector emissions, it said. In the months ahead, daily enforcement drives will be carried out and reports submitted to the Environment Department, which will forward them to the Commission, as per the guidelines. Vehicles flagged by the ANPR system will face either impoundment or mandatory scrapping, with options for relocation outside NCR available in limited cases. 'It needs no emphasis,' the air monitor said in a statement Friday, 'that the transport sector's contribution to NCR's air pollution is significant. This action plan prioritises the removal of the most polluting vehicles — those built before current emission norms.'
