GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY

DELHI SECRETARIAT, I.P. ESTATE, NEW DELHI
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Minutes of the 1st Meeting of the Special Task Force constituted on

the orders of the Delhi High Court on traffic issues in Delhi held
in the Conference Hall of Chief Secretary Shri Rakesh Mehta
on 2nd April 2010 at 3.00 PM

The 1st meeting of the Special Task Force constituted on the

orders of the Delhi High Court on traffic issues in Delhi was convened
by the Chief Secretary on 2nd April 2010 at 3.00 PM. The list of officers
who attended the meeting is annexed as Annexure-A.

Initiating the discussion the Chief Secretary, Delhi indicated that

Delhi High Court had passed orders in the Writ Petition (Civil) No.
4572/2007 (Manushi Sangthan vs Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.) and
Writ Petition (Civil) No.8580/2009 (Initiative for Transportation &
Development Programmes vs MCD & Ors.) to set up a Special Task
Force to consider traffic issues in Delhi. He stated that a number of
experts are on this committee and since the subject of traffic includes
various issues, it is important to have an idea of all members on the
main issues to be taken up for discussions.

Commissioner (MCD) pointed out that the orders of Delhi High

Court related to Rickshaw Policy specifically and also various other
aspects relating to minimizing congestion, reducing pollution level of
motor vehicles and provide equitable access to motorized and non-
motorized transport. As far as Rickshaw Policy is concerned he is
studying the matter and after consulting officers in the Corporation he
would be in a position to give his views on the orders of the High Court.

Sh. Pradeep Sachdeva stated that there has to be equity in the

implementation of the policy between motorized and non-motorized
transportation and implementation is a big issue, even though his
experience as Road Designer indicates that it is perfectly possible to
have Non Motorized Lanes, Pedestrian Lanes as well as Motor Vehicle
Lanes. He emphasized the need for walk-ability to enable people to
walk as studies have shown that large number of people walk for
different reasons.

Mrs. Romi Roy stated that there are aspects of policy and
implementation which needed to be taken account of. As far as policies
are concerned a document titled “Pedestrian Design Guidelines” has
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been prepared by the UTTIPEC and the priority should be pedestrian

lane, rickshaw lane, bus lane and car lane in that order. The
implementation issue should take these priorities into account.

Mrs. Sunita Narain indicated that RITES have brought out study
on the numbers of traffic growth and it is important to keep an eye on
the numbers while making policy recommendations. It is important to
put into place car restriction measures as otherwise the traffic situation
will become un-controllable. There should be a strong policy for
promoting Public Transport including BRT lanes to be implemented and
its integration with Delhi Metro.

Some of the Absolutes in policy are taking care of the rights of the
Pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles are very important. Taking up a
few examples and showing what would be possible at the ground level
is very important and same should be taken up immediately. She
mentioned that Delhi Metro has to hand over a number of roads to
PWD, MCD and NDMC and the Pedestrian Design Guidelines already
prepared by UTTIPEC should immediately be implemented in these
roads and orders should be issued in this regard. She also stated that
development of parking under parks is not a good idea.

Commissioner (MCD) indicated that there are difficulties in

developing parking even though parking charges have been paid
because of lack of space. It was generally agreed that parking policy
should not encourage free parking.

Ms. Gitam Tiwari stated that there are some important aspects
which need to be considered as a matter of policy. First is to minimize
the congestion because making Delhi congestion free is one of the
mandates of the Transport Policy. Emphasis should be on movement of
“people” and not on movement of “vehicles”. This aspect should be
emphasized to the Court. Secondly the environment improvement
should be accorded a higher priority while considering traffic policy.
Thirdly Public Transport needs to be an important element of traffic
policy because it can move a higher number of people and can handle
congestion more effectively. Fourthly a study conducted recently on the
scenario in Delhi in 2030 indicates that higher percentage of non-
motorized vehicles and pedestrian traffic will be essential to control
pollution. Lastly, she also emphasized on the need to have a grip on the
facts of RITES report. A presentation on this and other data needs to be
brought to the notice of the Special Task Force.

Representative of AUI emphasized the need for restriction on

vehicles and efficiency testing of drivers and driving system and
improvement of signages. Addl. Commissioner (Slum & JJ) indicated
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that a Policy on Rickshaw Pullers is an important element of the High

Court Order therefore needs to be considered. DCP (Traffic) stated that
Commissioner of Police is responding to the High Court judgment and
would be writing to the Hon’ble L.G. in this regard.

Some of the big issues that needed to be considered are

promoting walkability on public spaces, promoting public transport,
restricting car use, examining various studies on different aspects of
traffic congestion and accepting that the basic principles need to be
pedestrian, equitable design of road spaces, efficiency of movement
and lastly movement of vehicles.

It was decided that in the next meeting of the committee the

following issues would be taken up:-

1. Sunita Narain would present a paper on parking policy.

2. Pradeep Sachdeva would make a presentation on road design
for integrating non-motorized and motorized vehicle lanes by.

3. Presentation by RITES on traffic numbers.

4. Presentation by DIMTS on BRT plans.
5. Presentation on Metro expansion plans by DMRC.
6. Presentation on 2030 scenario by Ms. Gitam Tiwari.
7. The view of the MCD on the recent judgement of the Delhi
High Court on Rickshaw policy.

8. Discussion on available existing literature on congestion

charging.

Next meeting of the Special Task Force will be held on Saturday

st
1 May, 2010 at 3.00 PM in the Conference Room of Chief Secretary,
Delhi.

(RAKESH MEHTA)
Chief Secretary, Delhi
02.04.2010
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No. CS/1962-73 Dated 03.04.2010

Copy to:

1. Commissioner (MCD)
2. Commissioner (Transport)
3. Sh. Suvashish Choudhary, DCP (Traffic)
4. Sh. B.K. Jain, Addl. Commissioner (Plg.), DDA
5. Prof. N. Ranganathan, Consultant, CES India Pvt. Ltd.
6. Sh. T.K. Malhotra, President, AAUI
7. Ms. Gitam Tewari, Associate Professor, IIT, Delhi.
8. Ms. Sunita Narain, Director, Center for Science & Environment
9. Ms. Madhu Kishwar, Manushi
10. Ms. Paromita Roy (UTTIPEC)
11. Sh. Pradeep Sachdeva, Architect & Urban Planner
12. SO to CS for record.