Signal-free AIIMS crossing: Docs see red

NEW DELHI: The removal of traffic signals from the AIIMS stretch of Aurobindo Marg has not gone down well with the hospital’s doctors and patients. Other commuters have, however, hailed the move, saying that it has smoothened the flow of traffic right up to Hauz Khas.
Earlier during the month, the Delhi traffic police had removed two signals one at the AIIMS crossing and the other at Yusuf Sarai and added a U-turn on the road.Welcoming the change, autorickshaw driver Santosh Kumar, said: "A lot of time used to get wasted earlier. Now, the only stoppage we encounter on the entire stretch is at Hauz Khas." Another autorickshaw driver, Satbir Tyagi, added: "The U-turn is also a blessing. We don’t have to go all the way to Yusuf Sarai to make a turn."
However, AIIMS doctors are far from being pleased with the situation. Said a doctor: "We are distressed with the changes. Earlier, in case of an emergency call, we only had to cross the road at the red light to reach the hospital from our residential area. Now, we first cross the U-turn and then another road to get to the hospital. As doctors, we can’t afford to spend so much time trying to reach the hospital when our patients need us urgently."
Easy access to the hospital lies at the crux of the problem. That is probably the reason why doctors have been demanding a zebra crossing and a speed-breaker near the U-turn. However, deputy commissioner of police (traffic-southern range) Pradeep Hota, said: "These changes are actually part of the AIIMS flyover design. They could not be carried out when the flyover was constructed, so they have been done now."
The demand for the zebra crossing and speed-breaker hasn’t made any headway with the authorities. Hota said: "We can’t have a zebra crossing or a speed-breaker in a continuous corridor as the one in front of AIIMS. They will affect traffic flow. If the doctors have trouble crossing, they can use the subway."