New Delhi: India Gate circle, also known as C-hexagon, limits for vehicular and general pedestrian movement between 6 pm and 9 pm for the opening ceremony of Central Vista Avenue on Thursday (September 8, 2022) Went out, a traffic jam was noticed. On some main roads in central Delhi. Traffic congestion was witnessed in and around India Gate and other parts of central Delhi as roads remained closed during the evening.
Delhi Police had already made proper arrangements and issued an advisory asking commuters to plan their journey in advance or take alternate routes to avoid road closures and overcrowding due to traffic restrictions.
Several areas of Lutyens’ Delhi, including the ITO, IP flyover and other roads, witnessed traffic jams due to the closure of roads. After the function was over, traffic became smooth only after 9 pm. The Delhi Traffic Control Room was buzzing with calls complaining of snoring in several areas, especially around India Gate, from 6 pm onwards.
According to the police, over 450 traffic personnel were deployed to maintain traffic and keep all roads near India Gate clear. Additionally, Delhi Police coordinated with Delhi Fire Services and called cranes to monitor the restricted area and remove any unwanted vehicles.
“We received most of the calls with heavy congestion from Tilak Marg, C-Hexagon, Purana Qila Road, Shershah Road, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, Pandara Road and Shahjahan Road,” said a traffic official.
The traffic was diverted through W Point, Mathura Road, Ashok Road, Q Point, Prithviraj Road, Akbar Road and Subramanya Bharti Marg, the official said.
As the inauguration time was around peak evening hours, traffic was particularly affected near the Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk and Pragati Maidan.
Police said that special arrangements were made to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to commuters and pedestrians, with traffic being diverted from 6 pm to 9 pm on specific roads.
Traffic police officials said other areas of traffic jam in the national capital include Moti Bagh crossing, Bhikaji Cama Road, south leg of Lodhi flyover, Moolchand and Vikas Marg.
He said that traffic for these routes was diverted from Bhairon Road, Rajghat, Connaught Place and JLN Stadium.
Traffic movement was also diverted on KG Marg (C-Hexagon to Madhav Rao Scindia Marg crossing) and Copernicus Marg (C-Hexagon to Madhav Rao Scindia Marg crossing).
As per the issued advisory, passengers using two wheelers, three wheelers and four wheelers were requested to plan their journey in advance and visit W-Point, Mathura Road, Ashok Road, Q-Point, Prithvi Raj Road. Avoid roads like , Akbar Road, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, APJ Abdul Kalam Road and Rajesh Pilot Marg.
Congestion was also witnessed at the intersections near Windsor Place and Claridge’s Hotel, Man Singh Road, MLNP Roundabout, Janpath, Feroz Shah Road, Mandi House Roundabout and Sikandra Road.
(with agency input)