Delhi: Snarls, diversions mark rainy Tuesday

NEW DELHI: Many arterial roads in central Delhi, including a portion of Minto Road between DDU Marg and Connaught Place, were shut by traffic police after the showers on Tuesday afternoon to prevent mishaps because of waterlogging.
Minto Bridge underpass, which witnessed a death by drowning after the first downpour this monsoon, was closed for traffic for nearly half an hour to prevent vehicles from getting stuck in the stagnated water.Since Sunday, a task force comprising traffic and local policemen had been formed to keep a track of waterlogging.
The traffic on this stretch was diverted on Ranjeet Singh flyover and commuters were asked to reach Connaught Place using Barakhamba Road. “We didn’t want to take the risk of another waterlogging situation. The entire stretch was barricaded and vehicles were diverted to an alternative route,” said a police officer.
Around the same time, movement of vehicles was blocked after a portion of the road caved in at the Bhairon Marg-Ring Road crossing. Waterlogging was also reported near Sarai Kale Khan. Because of this, the stretch between Ashram and Sarai Kale Khan was blocked for some time. Vehicles headed towards central Delhi were diverted through DND Flyway and Vikas Marg to avoid a tailback.
The stretch of the Ring Road near WHO building was flooded since Monday due to an overflowing canal. On Tuesday, police had allowed a single lane of traffic on the stretch during peak hours, but movement was stopped after the afternoon showers. Massive traffic snarls were reported on this stretch. The same situation existed on Mathura Road.
The carriageway leading from Bhairon Road to Mathura Road also caved in, blocking the entire two-way traffic. As the Ring Road-bound traffic had to be diverted through ITO, the W-point, A-point and ITO crossing got choked. Construction work at Pragati Maidan, which had already narrowed the road, ended in another bottleneck.
Police said the situation was expected to remain the same on Wednesday. Plans are afoot to divert the traffic coming from Akshardham towards Sarai Kale Khan to go through Barapullah elevated road. Commuters coming from Ashram towards Akshardham would be advised to take Pushta Road and Vikas Marg or Geeta Colony flyover.
Snarls were also reported from Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Zakhira flyover, Peeragarhi and Prembari Pul underpass due to water stagnation.