Steady rain, VIP-related curbs bring city traffic to standstill
Traffic came to a crawl in several parts of the Capital on Tuesday as rain lashed the city and multiple restrictions remained in force in view of the India-EU summit, movement of VIPs, and related events. Visuals from different areas showed steady rain reducing visibility and slowing vehicular movement, with waterlogging reported in some stretches.
Commuters, especially office-goers, said the combination of VIP-related curbs and rain significantly increased travel time during peak traffic hours.
“Here we go again, Delhi. VIPs are allowed to move smoothly, while there are traffic curbs for the rest of us. It’s a tradition at this point. What do ordinary people do?” a commuter stuck in central Delhi traffic said.
Traffic congestion was reported from different parts of the city, including Outer Ring Road, Delhi-Meerut Expressway towards Sarai Kale Khan, Ghazipur, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Bhikaji Cama Place, ITO, Rajghat, Janpath and surrounding areas.
The Delhi Traffic Police had issued advisories announcing special arrangements due to the India-EU summit and a dinner for European Union (EU) delegates at Rashtrapati Bhavan later in the evening, along with visits by dignitaries to Rajghat. Several key roads in Lutyens’ Delhi and the central parts of the city were either restricted for parking and halting or subject to diversions.
A commuter, who travels daily from Ghaziabad to Connaught Place for work, said his usual travel time almost doubled.
“I was rushing to work but met severe traffic jams on my way to Connaught Place. While it usually takes me around 35 minutes to get to my workplace, today it took me over an hour,” he said.
Earlier, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory urging commuters to plan their journeys in advance. According to the advisory, special traffic arrangements will be in place till late evening for the high-level engagements. No vehicle will be allowed to halt or park on a number of key stretches till 5 pm, including Janpath Road, Windsor Place, W-Point, Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg and the C-Hexagon near India Gate.
Vehicles found parked on these roads will be towed, and owners will be prosecuted. Towed vehicles will be kept at the Traffic Pit on Kali Bari Mandir Marg and in front of the Bhairon Mandir Traffic Pit, the police said.
A second phase of restrictions was enforced from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm to facilitate the movement of dignitaries for the dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan. During this period, no vehicle will be permitted to halt or park on Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, MLNP, Janpath Road and Baba Kharak Singh Marg, the Delhi Traffic Police said in its advisory.
Multiple diversion points are operational at the intersections of Janpath-Tolstoy Marg, Tolstoy Marg-KG Marg, Ranjit Singh Flyover towards Barakhamba Road, Sunehri Masjid Road, Claridges Hotel junction, Akbar Road, Man Singh Road and Bhagwan Das Road/Tilak Marg.
Commuters have been advised to avoid routes such as Janpath Road, Tolstoy Marg, Mathura Road, Bhairon Road, Teen Murti Marg, Rafi Marg and Raisina Road.
