New Delhi: The Delhi traffic police is coordinating with Google Maps to decongest arterial roads during mega events organised in the city. The feature would help police get real-time information and manage road traffic in the city during peak hours every day.
The service will also be used on Wednesday during India vs New Zealand T20 match at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground to decongest roads around the stadium for regular commuters.
“We have already mailed Google Maps about the roads that will witness heavy traffic on Wednesday due to the match. Google Maps will inform commuters about the alternate routes available for them to reach their destination and they can avoid the congested routes,” said Dependra Pathal, the special commissioner of police (Traffic). He added that the service was successfully tested during Chhath puja and ‘Run for Unity’ when traffic diversions were placed on several routes.
“Before any mega event in the city, when traffic diversions will be placed, traffic police will inform Google Maps about the closed routes and they will adequately put it on Google Maps for drivers,” he added.
With the help of Google Maps, the Delhi traffic police already monitor the nature of congestion at 77 corridors identified in the city.
“We are studying the nature of congestion that could be due to red light, diversion, or any other reason. As per study, required changes will be made on timers of red light to ease traffic movement. A special training session will be called for the ground staff to make them familiar with Google Maps,” Mr Pathak added.
At present, traffic situation is being monitored in 10 corridors with the help of Google Maps. If any stretch in a route is seen to be badly affected, a screenshot of the map will be sent on a WhatsApp group to the traffic inspector, ACP, and DCP concerned for corrective actions. The brass will be kept in the loop to ensure prompt response on the screenshot posts.
Routes with different levels of traffic movement will be indicated in different colour codes with ‘yellow’ indicating medium traffic, ‘red’ indicating heavy traffic, and ‘green’ indicating low traffic.
In South Delhi, on stretches like the Rao Tularam flyover, Aurobindo Marg, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, and Ring Road, there are traffic snarls through the day. But the traffic cops intervene only if they receive complaints from commuters. This plan to employ Google Maps, therefore, changes the monitoring system to make it effective in real- time.
