India-Africa Summit likely to hit traffic flow in Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 26: Traffic flow in Lutyens' zone, central Delhi, Mathura Road, Rajghat, ITO and areas around India Gate is expected to be disrupted for the next few days in view of frequent VVIP route arrangements in connection with the India-Africa summit starting on Monday.

"The final input about the programme was received by Delhi Traffic Police and a plan was drafted on Sunday evening," a senior police official said.

To avoid the C-Hexagon near India Gate, which can be blocked for VVIP movements, commuters heading towards ITO or Kashmere Gate from South Delhi may take the Ring Road till Ashram and then move east towards Akshardham temple.

They can return to their route through Geeta Colony or Wazirabad and continue their journey northwards. Similarly, vehicles from Kashmere Gate and Civil Lines might take the Rani Jhansi Road, Karol Bagh route to reach south Delhi and avoid congestion, the official said.

Large parts of Lutyens' zone and central Delhi shall be temporarily turned into restricted zones, in view of security, and only labelled vehicles of the invitees and vehicles of bona fide residents of the areas under restriction will be allowed inside during the four-day summit, the official said.

For Monday, Oct 26, the entire stretch between Ashoka Road and Copernicus Marg will be blocked in the afternoon hours as the delegates are scheduled to meet the Prime Minister for lunch.

When dignitaries head towards the office of the President, the traffic at the Mother Teresa Crescent and South Avenue will be halted for an hour. The traffic department have also provided arrangement for potential Rajghat visit.

If dignitaries head towards Rajghat, the concerned stretch of Ring Road and Tilak Marg will be blocked, the official said.

At the same time, traffic at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Vikas Marg will be halted for about 15 minutes to maintain a steady traffic equation, he added. Additional traffic personnel will be deployed on the road to tackle severe congestions, if any, he said.

PTI