Delhi now has a state-of-the-art Operations Control Centre (OCC). Recently inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, it is located at the ISBT building, Kashmere Gate. The OCC is a highly sophisticated traffic monitoring and control system set up by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) Ltd which will monitor the traffic situation in the city and the performance of Delhi buses. The OCC will get real-time videos from traffic intersections in the city where an Intelligent Signalling System (ISS) has been installed and also from the city buses which have GPS devices mounted on them. The data from the GPS enabled buses would be transmitted through GPRS (Global Packet Radio Switching) devices. The OCC would thus get a continuous real-time input of the geographic location of the buses enabling officials to monitor adherence to speed limits, punctuality and specified bus routes by drivers. On the traffic front, the CCTVs on the traffic intersections will provide real-time videos of the traffic at ISS enabled intersections, including the BRTS corridor, to help the OCC provide better and efficient traffic management. The OCC will work as a hub for high-tech systems such as Biometric Access Control, Modular UPS, Precision ACs, VESDA and FM 200 fire detection and suppression systems, all of which are integrated through Building Management Systems. Also launched was a smart-card based driving licence system at I P Depot. The system features a software – Sarathi – for issuing learners’ and driver licences in 13 zonal offices. The new online learner’s test would require applicants to undergo fingerprinting to re-verify their identities. Comprehensive New Roads Proposed for Belgaum
The Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), the nodal agency for urban transport in Karnataka, has recommended a complete overhaul of the roads and traffic in the city of Belgaum in Karnataka. In its plan, prepared by the New Delhi-based transport planning company ICRA Management Consulting Services Ltd, the agency has proposed an outer ring road system and an inner ring road system, and seven radial roads to connect the two ring road systems. Measures proposed by the DULT include creation of traffic engineering cells, a traffic engineering and management unit, and a traffic management group in the city. It also proposed increased private sector participation in transport and traffic projects in the city.