VIP movements caused major traffic disruptions in Delhi

On Monday, significant traffic jams in central Delhi were caused by the movement of VIPs. This disruption led to the waste of 46,000 litres of fuel and costs amounting to 44 lakhs due to the idling vehicles. The traffic congestion also resulted in a loss of 100,000 manhours, negatively impacting productivity. During peak hours from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, the ITO intersection became especially congested. Estimates show that between 200,000 to 300,000 vehicles pass through this area at those times. This overflow primarily consists of two-wheelers and cars, with about 10 million vehicles registered in Delhi. As vehicles sat idle, an analysis revealed that around 46,000 litres of fuel were wasted. This fuel waste could fuel over 200 round trips between Delhi and Mumbai. The financial burden of this traffic jam was significant, costing drivers nearly 44 lakhs based on current petrol prices. The environmental impact was severe, with an estimated 107 metric tons of CO2 released into Delhi's already polluted air. Experts have noted that traffic congestion worsens air quality due to increased fuel consumption and emissions. Sunil Dahiya, an environmental analyst, emphasizes the need for better traffic management to alleviate congestion. He advocates for improvements in public transport and non-motorized transport to address the underlying issues. The effect of the traffic jam extended beyond fuel waste. The loss of 100,000 manhours meant thousands of delayed meetings and missed appointments, highlighting the broad consequences of a single traffic disruption.