There was a marked slowdown in traffic movement on Thursday morning due to dense fog that reduced visibility at various major intersections in Delhi. Now, with winter weather getting worse, car drivers were compelled to slow down, thus resulting in longer journeys on major roads.
There was low visibility in early morning hours, especially in central, northern, and eastern parts of Delhi. Cases of slow-moving traffic were also observed on major roads like Ring Road, Outer Ring Road, Mathura Road, and around ITO, Dhaula Kuan, and Anand Vihar. However, traffic police officials have revealed that there were no major incidents of accidents, though there was congestion due to slow traffic.
The fog started setting in during the latter part of the night and became dense during the wee hours of the day, coinciding with the peak period of the morning commute. Private vehicles, buses, and commercial vehicles were equally affected, particularly at intersection points where the visibility of traffic signals was hampered. It took twice the usual time to travel because of frequent braking and cautious turns.
The Delhi Traffic Police increased their presence at such crossing points. Reflectors and warning signs have been placed on various routes to guide people. The traffic police advised people to use fog lights while driving. People should also drive with safe distance and should not change lanes abruptly.
The public transport system was largely functional, although there were some delays for buses owing to slow-movingtraffic. The Delhi Transport Corp. buses reported some minor delays to schedules, mainly on routes that pass through areas where fog is expected. The auto rickshaw and taxi drivers were also cautious while driving.
The emergency services and vehicles carrying deliveries were asked to use alternative routes whenever possible. Authorities indicated that even though the situation could still be managed, a lengthy period of fog could cause congestion in traffic should the volume of traffic rise later in the day. The control rooms for traffic continued to be on high alert to deal with any incidents that could hinder traffic.
Weather officials have pointed out that the reason for the formation of this fog was the result of lower temperatures and reduced winds, along with higher moisture in the air. This type of weather condition usually prevails during late December and the first week of January, particularly after having clear nights.
Commuters have been advised on the need for additional leeway in travel plans, with the possibility of staggered travel schedules. Office-going commuters, as well as school transport, have been advised on the importance of staying informed by traffic alerts and navigation systems to avoid heavily congested roads.
Road safety experts stressed the need to drive properly in the fog. There was a warning against using high lights, which might just reflect off the fog and make the road less visible. There was also a warning against using hazard lights when stationary or proceeding very slowly.
Despite the hinderances, authorities reported that joint efforts between traffic police, city authorities, and other emergency services had prevented major incidents. With the onset of winter weather, authorities have announced their plans to heighten surveillance at major intersections to ensure safe flow of commuters. As the prospect of the fog becoming a seasonal problem, locals are advised to exercise patience and ensure that they follow the relevant traffic rules to ensure safe passage during the winter mornings.
