Ashram Chowk, a busy crossway where there is a flyover on the Ring Road that leads to the DND expressway has beneath it a blind spot where motorists are daily facing rash drivers who break the traffic-light rules with impunity.
It is shocking to see how a room is built under the flyover that completely obstructs the view of the traffic coming from Bhogal onto the side – road to enter Maharani Bagh (MB). The blind spot is to the left (under the flyover) and invariably a two- wheeler jumps the red light from the left road to dash off towards Lajpat Nagar or turn towards Nizamuddin. This is just when the signal light turns green for the Mathura Road traffic that is going straight on the road to either the Petrol Pump or Maharani Bagh.
Conversely, when driving from Maharani Bagh to Nizamuddin, just at the traffic-light junction to the ‘right’ comes the room. Often impatient two-wheelers or even autos dart across towards Faridabad, just when the signal turns green.
This crossing has become a major challenge for the residents of Maharani Bagh. It is amazing how the road planner or the traffic police allowed this state of affairs, sanctioning a blind corner where the road (drive) ahead is obstructed and a clear view of the oncoming traffic is not available.
It is the most dangerous corner, where one is not able to see the hazard until it’s too late. Worse still, this encounter comes when the motorist coming into Maharani Bagh has already battled transport busses and other vehicles that have obstructed the straight flow because their need to turn right towards Srinivaspuri is greater! Sometimes a traffic signal for crossing is missed twice because of the traffic overtaking to go right blocking the straight flow.
A head-on collision with another vehicle can be fatal for the lighter vehicle. Internal colony roads place mirrors to prevent accidents. Unfortunately, even warning signs are not placed on these roads to warn the traffic, this speaks poorly of the traffic police.
