Delhi’s traffic movement is set to face a harrowing time as two major “spiritual” events are expected to be organised simultaneously from March 11 to 13. While on one hand, the World Culture Festival is expected to be organised on Yamuna flood pains to celebrate completion of 35 years of Art of living, Radha Soami Satsang Beas is holding Satsang programme in the Bhati Complex on Bhati Mines Road under Fathepur Beri Police Station jurisdiction.
According to a senior traffic police official, the two religious congregations will bring in large number of devotees to the city throwing traffic out of gear. Additional men and officers are being deployed to oversee the traffic arrangements to ensure traffic flow, he added. While the advertisements of World Culture Festival are claiming an expected footfall of around 2 lakh people at the venue of the event at any given time. Also, they claimed that the number might increase.
Meanwhile, a huge public gathering of around 3-4 lakhs from all parts of Delhi, NCR and neighbouring States is expected on the same days at the Satsang programme organised by Radha Soami Satsang Beas.
Huge traffic jams are expected around the venue of the event, including the already choked Ashram Chowk, Ring Road, Mathura Road and DND flyover.
In a traffic advisory issued by the Delhi Police on Tuesday, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sharad Agarwal said there is likelihood of heavy traffic and congestion on various roads including Bhati Mines road, 100 Foota road, Mehrauli — Gurgaon Road (specifically near CDR Chowk and Andheria Morh), Mehrauli —Mahipalpur Road, Anuvrat Marg, Mehrauli — Badarpur Road (lado Sarai to Khanpur) and Aurobindo Marg (IIT Flyover to lado Sarai).
“Traffic will be heavy towards Satsang venue from 6 am to 3 pm on March 11, 12 and 13. General public is hereby advised to move with sufficient time keeping in mind the anticipated congestion on these roads,” said the advisory.
Some strongly felt that the city has not got sufficient infrastructure to withstand such a huge rush of people. However, one thing is clear that the resources of the city will be stretched to their limits during the event.