TOI files petition for traffic regulation during VIP visit

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today issued notices to the authorities on the petition of Bennett Coleman&Co. Ltd, the publisher of the Times of India Group of newspapers, seeking direction to the police for regularisation of traffic in Lutyen's Delhi during the visit of foreign dignitaries to the Capital.

Justice Anil Kumar asked the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi Government, Commissioner of Police and MCD Commissioner to file their replies by January 24, 2007, the next date of hearing.

The Company has a premises at 15, Motilal Nehru Marg in Lutyen's Delhi, used for residential purposes. The building is adjacent to a five-star hotel - Taj Mansingh, where foreign dignitories are being hosted by the government, said the petition filed by Counsel Sanjay Kumar Singh.

''The hotel hosts a score of dignitaries causing inconvenience to the residents of the area,'' said the petition.

The administration has to consider the rights of the inhabitants and rationalise the security process so as to eliminate grave hazards and difficulties.

The petition said on November 21, the day of the visit of Chinese Premier Hu Jintao, the visitors to the premises were not allowed by the security forces.

Seeking direction to the authorities, the petition prayed that the guests and residents of the premises should be given free or regulated access without any hindrance.

UNI PAT MIR HT1947