Delhi CM Rekha Gupta mourns minor’s death in Shalimar Bagh road accident

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday expressed grief over the death of a minor in a road accident in the Shalimar Bagh area, an official said. 

She said that had there been no illegal encroachments along the roadside in the area, traffic would have moved smoothly and the chances of such accidents, as well as loss of life and property, could have been reduced.

She noted that about two months ago, a five-year-old girl had also lost her life after being hit by a speeding truck in the same area, reflecting the serious condition of traffic management in the locality.

According to Shalimar Bagh Police, two minors riding a motorcycle were passing through the area on Saturday evening, where illegal encroachments had been made along the drain and the roadside, when a tempo coming from behind hit the motorcycle, resulting in the death of one minor on the spot.

The Chief Minister expressed deep condolences over the death of the minor, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar, Haiderpur, and said that the accident could have been avoided in the absence of illegal encroachments along the roadside.

She stated that these encroachments were made on government land during the tenure of the previous government, due to which traffic has remained obstructed for a long time and commuters have faced persistent difficulties.

The Chief Minister said that recently the Delhi High Court issued directions to remove more than 140 illegal units located on Road No. 320 in the area. A major underpass has also been constructed here by the Delhi government, through which traffic coming from Azadpur will pass via this road and underpass and directly reach the Outer Ring Road near Mukarba Chowk.

She said there are two major hospitals, several educational institutions and police establishments in the area, due to which traffic pressure remains high. Owing to the illegal encroachments, not only local residents but also vehicles and pedestrians passing through the area have been facing considerable inconvenience for a long time.

The Chief Minister stated that the Delhi government had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court regarding the issue, on the basis of which the order to remove illegal constructions was passed.

She added that once these encroachments are removed, traffic from North Delhi will move more smoothly and vehicles will be able to directly access the Outer Ring Road from the Ring Road.

--IANS

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