How construction sites are causing congestion, adding to pollution load

The laying of a 220KV power cable by Delhi Transco Ltd opposite the Alaknanda market has badly affected the movement of traffic there.

- Priyangi.Agarwal

New Delhi: The excavated soil on the site lies unevenly covered against the prevailing anti-pollution imperative to prevent dust from blowing. Vehicular emissions due to their slowing down of traffic on the blocked road are adding to the pollution load in the area. Though the Delhi government has lifted the ban on construction sites, digging work has impacted the smooth movement of vehicles.

When TOI visited the site on Monday, it found that the ongoing work was the cause of congestion most of the time, with the condition aggravating during the peak traffic hours. A parking attendant at Alaknanda market said, “Due to the ongoing construction work, the traffic moves at a snail’s pace during the peak hours in the morning and evening. In those hours, it becomes difficult for vehicles to move from the parking lane because of the lack of space.” Bishwadev Majumdar, a bank employee, said there were dust clouds almost all the time and traffic snarls on the route every day.