Vehicular movement on at least 11 stretches of road in central Delhi and its surrounding areas is likely to remain affected on Sunday, as traffic restrictions and diversions will be in place for the Congress-led INDIA bloc’s “Chalo Dilli” rally scheduled at Ramlila Maidan, senior Delhi Traffic Police officers said on Saturday.
Through a traffic advisory, the traffic police advised passengers travelling to New Delhi railway station to proceed via Chelmsford Road – Outer Circle of Connaught Place – Minto Road – Bhavbhuti Marg while coming from DBG Road side. Those coming from East Delhi should take the route via ITO – DDU Marg – Bhavbhuti Marg to reach the Ajmeri Gate side of the station. “Passengers should plan their journey in advance and keep sufficient time to reach the station. We also urge the public to use public transport, preferably the Delhi Metro trains, wherever possible, to park their vehicles only at designated parking places, to avoid roadside parking, and to keep the carriageway clear for traffic and emergency vehicles. They should follow the instructions of traffic police personnel deployed on the ground. They should also report any suspicious person or unattended object to the police,” added the DCP.
Nearly 350 traffic personnel and more than 100 home guards will remain deployed on roads leading to the venue from central and New Delhi areas, the officers said, adding that elaborate traffic and security arrangements will be in place for the event. More than 3,000 Delhi Police personnel and several companies of armed paramilitary forces equipped with anti-riot gear will remain deployed in and around the venue. Deputy commissioner of police (central range traffic) K Ramesh said that depending on traffic conditions, the traffic police have created 10 diversion points where vehicles may be diverted from 10am to 5pm. The 11 stretches likely to be affected are Bahadur Shah Zafar (BSZ) Marg (from ITO to Delhi Gate), Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (Rajghat to Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk to Ajmeri Gate), Aruna Asaf Ali Road (Ajmeri Gate to Hamdard Chowk to Turkman Gate to Delhi Gate), Minto Road–Kamla Market Roundabout–Hamdard Chowk, Ranjit Singh Flyover to Turkman Gate, DBG Road (Roundabout Jhandewalan towards Ajmeri Gate Chowk), W-Point (BSZ Marg), Barakhamba Road towards Mandi House roundabout to Sikandra Road, Kasturba Gandhi (KG) Marg-Firozshah Road, Chelmsford Road, and Minto Road, the traffic police said.
In addition to the affected roads and diverted points, the traffic police said vehicular movement will remain under regulation and will be permitted as per the prevailing traffic situation and operational requirements on four stretches around the Ramlila Maidan such as Guru Nanak Chowk to Kamla Market roundabout, Kamla Market roundabout to Hamdard Chowk, Hamdard Chowk to Turkman Gate, and Turkman Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk.
