As stringent traffic regulations came into force in view of the G20 Summit, the areas under the New Delhi district on Friday wore a deserted look with empty roads and even key landmarks such as Bengali Market, Khan Market, Connaught Place were without visitors. The impact of the New Delhi district shutdown was visible in the entire Delhi as roads were empty.
The New Delhi district has been placed under a lockdown of sorts with all markets closed, roads deserted and police barricades all around, along with heavy deployment of security. The official closure came into effect at midnight on Thursday with leaders of the G20 group scheduled to begin arriving from Friday morning.
Stores, restaurants, shops as well as even essential/grocery shops in places such as Bengali Market, Connaught Place, Central Secretariat, Diplomatic Enclave, Shanti Niketan and Khan Market remained closed. Restrictions came into full force in its area from Friday morning till Sunday night when the Summit ends.
The New Delhi district was heavily barricaded with police checking vehicles and IDs of those entering the area around the summit venue and hotels where the delegates will be staying.
The exits of the metro stations falling under Lutyens’ periphery were highly regulated. At one instance a correspondent of The Pioneer had to intervene when there was a fracas between the Delhi Police and a French woman at the exit gate of Central Secretariat Metro Station. While the journalist was being frisked and his ID cards verified, policemen were inquisitive about the foreigner and struggling to decipher what she was saying in English. The Pioneer correspondent pitched in and explained the restrictions in the wake of G20 security concerns which shall also witness the visit of the French President.
“It’s quite normal for visiting dignitaries to visit a city landmark like Khan Market,” said Sanjeev Mehra, president of the Khan Market Traders’ Association.
“For G20 delegates, we were preparing mementos, but the Government has asked us to shut down our shops. We have decided to concede to the Government’s request, but for a growing economy, it would have been nice to let business operations run normally.”
According to Atul Bhargava, of the New Delhi Traders’ Association, opening a few shops would have been a futile exercise when the entire area is shut. “It is not practical. As far as we know, the market is 100 per cent closed,” he added.
The Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) said while they understood that curbs were necessary in view of a large-scale event, better communication should have been ensured with market associations and RWAs.
At the exit point of Patel Chowk metro station, which is close to some of the hotels accommodating the delegates, commuters’ IDs were
being checked. Those who were not bonafide residents of the area or could not provide any valid reason for their presence in the area, were asked to return.
The Hanuman Mandir in New Delhi, which is thronged by devotees, was also empty. Connaught Place market and other markets were shut owing to the security arrangements for the summit.
Ashok Randhawa of Sarojini Nagar mini market association said the market is completely open and traders have arranged flowers and Tilak-thalis to welcome foreign tourists.
Stringent traffic regulations were put in place in New Delhi on Friday morning while online delivery services, except for medicines, have been barred in the area where the G20 Summit venue and hotels for delegates are located, officials said.
The movement of vehicles is being regulated in the district but ambulances, locals and tourists staying in the area are being permitted to travel by presenting proper identification documents, the police said.
The Delhi Metro started its services from 4 am from the terminal stations on all lines of the network on Friday and the same will continue on Saturday and Sunday. Officials said over 50,000 personnel along with dog squads and mounted police have been deployed to keep a hawk-eye vigil during the summit.
Manoj Tyagi, a doctor, said, “I drove from Noida Extension to New Delhi for some work. Usually, it would have taken me over an hour to reach the area since there is traffic, but (today) I reached in 40 minutes since the roads were empty. There was checking but no inconvenience.”
New Delhi district has been designated as Controlled Zone-I from Friday 5 am till Sunday 11.59 pm because of the Summit. Police have urged people not to visit India Gate and Kartavya Path for walking, cycling or picnicking.
The movement of vehicles is being regulated in the district but ambulances, locals and tourists staying in the area are being permitted to travel by presenting proper identification documents, the police said.
Police have advised people to use the navigation app ‘Mapmyindia’ to get around the city till the restrictions are in place.
The essential services such as postal and medical services, and sample collections by pathological labs are being allowed throughout Delhi. The vehicles dealing with housekeeping, catering and waste management for hotels, hospitals and other important installations in New Delhi district will also be allowed after verification.
The Delhi Police said that things went “smoothly” and “seamlessly” on the first day G20-the related security restrictions were implemented in the New Delhi area which houses the summit venue and the delegates’ hotels. “Traffic restrictions are imposed in a very small area of New Delhi district. That small portion has been restricted to the general public while the rest of Delhi is open,” said Delhi Police spokesperson Suman Nalwa, a day before top leaders from the G20 nations officially hold the meet.
“We have been working for the last many months to ensure smooth functioning for everyone. We have restricted traffic and closed commercial establishments in the NDMC area since the movement of delegates from one place to another and to their hotels will be only in this portion,” Nalwa said.