ISBT Kashmere Gate is known for its congested roads due to the blockade of inter-state buses on the route of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir and others. However, this congestion may be a thing of the past if the proposal submitted by the Delhi Traffic Police gets the green nod.
According to the latest advisory by the Delhi Traffic Police, interstate buses bound for North India from the Kashmir Gate Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT) should be diverted to the newly opened Dehradun Expressway via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. A proposal proposing measures to ease chronic congestion on the Ring Road and its adjacent corridors in north Delhi was sent to the Delhi Transport Department and the Public Works Department (PWD) on Thursday, Hindustan Times reported.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Nishant Gupta suggested diverting these interstate buses to the Dehradun Expressway, connected to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) before merging with NH-44 near Sonepat.
According to Gupta, the recommendation came after road safety-related NGO Guru Hanuman Society of Bharat expressed concern over traffic congestion. She conducted a study of the existing route and designed the proposed routes. She approached the authorities with a request to reconsider the existing arrangement for interstate buses.
Current interstate bus route
Currently, buses continue to Sonepat via Ring Road, Outer Ring Road and National Highway (NH)-44. According to officials, the existing route is causing severe traffic jams at places like Chandgi Ram Akhara and GT Karnal Bypass. Even the North Campus of Delhi University and Azadpur Mandi are getting into congestion area as a side effect.
“These congestions lead to prolonged idling of vehicles resulting in detrimental impact on public health and safety of commuters. The movement of inter-state buses on the route also delays other motorists,” HT quoted the transport commissioner as saying.
Recommended route from Kashmere Gate ISBT to NH-44 near Sonepat
As per the proposal, buses would leave Kashmere Gate ISBT and head towards Ring Road. To continue on NH-44 near Sonepat, these buses will take GT Road, Shastri Park and Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) in Northeast Delhi to reach Dehradun Expressway.
Speaking to the publication, a senior traffic police officer said that this expressway-based route is designed for long-distance travel and is already being used by many motorists to avoid city traffic.
Chairman of NGO Guru Hanuman Society of Bharat and urban transport expert Atul Ranjeet Kumar supported the proposal as he noted that shifting intercity bus services from the city center was an effective way to reduce traffic congestion.
