New Delhi, September 9: Delhi is set to witness extensive traffic restrictions and diversions as the national capital prepares to host the BRICS Summit from September 11 to 13, with the movement of foreign delegations and VVIP convoys expected to affect daily commuting across several parts of the city.
According to the traffic management plan, more than 35 roads are likely to come under regulation during the summit period. Authorities have also identified 22 diversion points to manage vehicular movement whenever VVIP convoys pass through key corridors.
A motorcade rehearsal is scheduled for Wednesday evening between 7 pm and 10 pm as part of preparations for the summit. The exercise will allow traffic and security agencies to assess convoy routes and test diversion arrangements before the arrival of international delegates.The traffic impact is expected to extend beyond the immediate vicinity of Bharat Mandapam, the main summit venue.
Routes connecting Noida and East Delhi with central Delhi, as well as corridors linking Dwarka and West Delhi with Dhaula Kuan, the airport and South Delhi, could experience delays.Several important roads have been included in the traffic advisory, including Sardar Patel Marg, Mathura Road, Shanti Path, Janpath, Ashoka Road, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg, Niti Marg, Panchsheel Marg, APJ Abdul Kalam Road and others.Major diversion points include Dhaula Kuan, Moti Bagh, Patel Chowk, Janpath, Lodhi Road, Mandi House and areas around major flyovers.
At Dhaula Kuan, traffic restrictions on Sardar Patel Marg could lead to diversions towards NH-48, Ring Road and Vande Mataram Marg. Restrictions around Moti Bagh may result in vehicles being redirected towards Ring Road and Rao Tula Ram Marg.
Traffic arrangements have also been planned around Lodhi Road and Mandi House. During VVIP movements, vehicles may be temporarily stopped or diverted to ensure the safe passage of delegations.
The movement of foreign delegations, including the Egyptian delegation travelling between its accommodation in Saket and central Delhi, is also expected to place additional pressure on some South Delhi corridors.
The traffic police have advised people travelling to the Indira Gandhi International Airport to use the Metro wherever possible and leave well in advance if road travel is unavoidable. Passengers travelling to railway stations and interstate bus terminals have also been asked to keep additional time for their journeys.
Metro services are expected to continue, while some bus routes may be diverted during VVIP movements. Taxis and autorickshaws will remain available, although passenger pick-up and drop-off may be restricted in controlled areas during convoy movement.
Authorities have also coordinated with navigation service providers to update route information regarding traffic restrictions and diversions.
Cab operators have been advised against using restricted areas as pick-up or drop-off locations.Roadside parking will not be permitted within 200 metres of roads covered by traffic restrictions.
Motorists have been asked to use designated parking spaces and follow directions issued by traffic personnel.
Around 4,800 traffic personnel are being deployed to manage the arrangements during the summit.Officials have stressed that restrictions will largely depend on the movement of VVIP convoys and may therefore be temporary rather than continuous road closures.
With the summit drawing international delegations to the capital, commuters have been advised to plan their journeys carefully, check traffic conditions before leaving and keep alternative routes in mind to avoid delays.
