Ahead of the G20 Summit scheduled for September 8 to 10, the Delhi Police conducted full dress rehearsals, escorting convoys from various parts of the National Capital to the New Delhi district. The rehearsal timings were from 8.30 am to 12 pm, 4.30 pm to 6 pm, and 7 pm to 11 pm. The police will hold three additional rehearsals on Sunday as well, from 8 am to 9 am, 9.30 am to 10.30 am, and 12.30 pm to 4 pm.
To prevent any untoward incidents, the anti-terror crack force National Security Guard (NSG) conducted surprise searches at different locations in the national capital during the full dress rehearsals. NSG will deploy its anti-drone teams to neutralise and counter rogue drone threats during the G20 Summit, while also stationing its aerial insertion teams around the summit in the event of any terror contingencies. NSG has been integrated into the security plans by the Delhi Police and it will provide anti-terror backup teams that will be fully equipped and stationed at strategic locations as well as at the venues where the important heads of states will be staying.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandos, deployed as Close Protection Team in the security of G20 guests too conducted a security drill.
Visuals from the rehearsals show that traffic was briefly affected when the convoys were moving. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based cameras, software alarms, and drones are being used to monitor the movement and ensure foolproof protection at the summit’s venues. The police advised people to follow real-time traffic updates on the ‘G-20 Virtual Help Desk’ for route suggestions when commuting to/from the airport, railway stations, or bus terminals.
During the convoy rehearsals, traffic was restricted at various locations, including Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg, Sardar Patel Marg-Kautilya Marg, Gol Methi roundabout, Mansingh Road roundabout, C-Hexagon, Mathura Road, Zakir Hussain Marg-Subramaniam Bharti Marg, Bhairon Marg-Ring Road, Satya Marg/Shantipath roundabout, Janpath-Kartavyapath, Barakhamba Road red light, Tolstoy Marg, and Vivekanand Marg, among others.
The full convoy rehearsals were carried out in the Pragati Maidan area, officials said.
In view of the dress rehearsal, commuters have been advised to use metro services instead of using roads to commute during the day. “Advisories have been issued as traffic will be restricted for some time during the full convoy rehearsals today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday). Our effort is to not let traffic movement get affected much,” said Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) SS Yadav in a statement to the media.
“We have shared the travel guidelines with all the media houses. Newspapers have also published our releases, and necessary information is also being shared on our social media handles. The focus is to ensure that the impact on the movement of traffic is kept at a minimum... I would urge residents to check traffic guidelines on our official website before stepping out,” Yadav added.
On Sunday, traffic regulations will be in place at Mahatma Gandhi Marg, IP Flyover, Rajghat Chowk, Shanti Van Chowk, Saleem Garh Bypass, Bhairon Road, Ring Road, Mathura Road, Shershah Road, C-Hexagon, roundabouts at Mansingh Road, Gol Methi, Teen Murti, Yashwant Place, Brig Hoshiyar Singh Marg, and Tolstoy Marg.
Commuters can take Ring Road, Ashram Chowk, Sarai Kale Khan, Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Noida Link Road, Pusta Road, Yudhistir Setu, ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Ring Road, and Majnu Ka Tila for the north-south corridor, according to the advisory.
Passengers will be allowed to use their private vehicles, auto-rickshaws, and taxis for traveling to New Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi Railway Station. The use of private vehicles, auto-rickshaws, and taxis for traveling to the airport will also be allowed, it said.
The traffic police warned that commuters might experience more than normal traffic on these roads and junctions and advised people to plan their journeys in advance to avoid these roads during the specified time slots.
Responding to a query regarding entry into Delhi from the Delhi-Meerut expressway around 1 pm on Sunday, the police said, “Delhi Traffic Police has introduced its G-20 Virtual Help Desk for real-time traffic updates during the G20 Summit and suggesting routes for commuting to/from the Airport, Railway Stations, ISBTs, etc. The same can be accessed by clicking on the link https://traffic.Delhipolice.Gov.In/dtpg20info.”
DTC and cluster bus services would remain unaffected in most parts of the national capital. However, there might be diversions on certain road stretches in the New Delhi district depending on the real-time traffic situation, it added.
Earlier, on August 23, Delhi traffic police authorities carried out a full-dress rehearsal on selected routes.