NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Almost all major roads in the city will soon have a dedicated emergency lane and driving on them during time of any disaster will be a punishable offence.
The Delhi Government has identified 162 roads in which emergency lanes will be reserved on the extreme right for plying of ambulance, fire-tenders and other emergency services vehicles.
The government will put in place an emergency public warning system under which sirens will be installed across the city and restrictions on movement of vehicles in emergency lanes will come into effect once the sirens are sounded.
“In case of a disaster, sirens will be blown and immediately the dedicated lanes will have to be left for vehicles under the emergency response system,” the officials said.
The emergency lanes will be painted blue and during normal days there will be no restrictions on plying of vehicles in them.
Officials said countries like the US, the UK, Canada and Italy have similar emergency lanes and Delhi Government has decided to go for them as part of efforts to strengthen the disaster management system in the city.
They said the government plans to put in place the entire system by first part of next year.
Separate lanes on arterial roads were kept during Commonwealth Games in 2010 for transporting players and officials.
Though the amount of fine for straying on to the emergency
lanes has not been finalised yet, officials said the penalty will be “heavy”.
The proposal was first put forth by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority and officials said penalty will be imposed on the violators as per provision of the Delhi Disaster Management Act.
Major roads identified for the emergency lanes include August Kranti Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jail Road, Pankha Road, Noida Link Road, Rohtak road and Vikas Marg. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel