Traffic snarls await the city from Sunday when the US President arrives and that may continue till the time he leaves Delhi. However, assuring that the city will not be brought to a halt during Barack Obama’s visit, Delhi Police on Thursday briefed the media in detail about the traffic arrangements for Republic Day.
According to sources, Obama will check in at the ITC Maurya Sheraton hotel soon after the Airforce One lands at the IGI Airport, scheduled at 10 am on January 25. After that the President’s cavalcade will be criss-crossing the New Delhi area several times. He is scheduled for a bilateral meeting, followed by a banquet hosted by the Indian Prime Minister, a probable visit to Rajghat and ending the day at the banquet to be hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee.
This may cause traffic snarls in areas of central Delhi and New Delhi – which includes Connaught Place, ITO, Mathura Road and the Ring Road stretch near Rajghat. Traffic Restrictions will remain imposed around the ITC Maurya Sheraton hotel till the time Obama checks out and vehicles heading towards the concerned stretch on Sardar Patel Marg will be diverted towards Saint Martin Marg, Manas Marg and Panchsheel Marg.
On January 26, the route from Red Fort to Rashtrapati Bhawan – which includes Netaji Subhash Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Road, Tilak Marg and Rajpath – will be closed for public sharp at 4 am. This is the route of the parade, said a senior official. He further said that Rajpath, in fact, will remain close from 6 pm on January 25.
After 6 am on January 26, a restriction zone shall be created, with the Rashtrapati Bhawan at its northern end, the India gate at its southern end and the Rajpath-Janpath crossing almost at its centre. Vehicles ‘labelled’ for invitees and bonafide residents will only be allowed inside the zone from 6 am till the time the parade ends.
On January 26, Obama will take part in the Republic Day parade, and Jan 27 he is scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra.
However, Obama arriving during the weekends will prove to be a relief for both the commuters and the authorities from witnessing pangs of weekday traffic hassles.
“We have also been informed that Barack Obama may visit the US Embassy too. Traffic in these routes will have to be cleared accordingly,” said a source in Delhi Traffic Police.
According to sources, Obama will check in at the ITC Maurya Sheraton hotel soon after the Airforce One lands at the IGI Airport, scheduled at 10 am on January 25. After that the President’s cavalcade will be criss-crossing the New Delhi area several times. He is scheduled for a bilateral meeting, followed by a banquet hosted by the Indian Prime Minister, a probable visit to Rajghat and ending the day at the banquet to be hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee.
This may cause traffic snarls in areas of central Delhi and New Delhi – which includes Connaught Place, ITO, Mathura Road and the Ring Road stretch near Rajghat. Traffic Restrictions will remain imposed around the ITC Maurya Sheraton hotel till the time Obama checks out and vehicles heading towards the concerned stretch on Sardar Patel Marg will be diverted towards Saint Martin Marg, Manas Marg and Panchsheel Marg.
On January 26, the route from Red Fort to Rashtrapati Bhawan – which includes Netaji Subhash Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Road, Tilak Marg and Rajpath – will be closed for public sharp at 4 am. This is the route of the parade, said a senior official. He further said that Rajpath, in fact, will remain close from 6 pm on January 25.
After 6 am on January 26, a restriction zone shall be created, with the Rashtrapati Bhawan at its northern end, the India gate at its southern end and the Rajpath-Janpath crossing almost at its centre. Vehicles ‘labelled’ for invitees and bonafide residents will only be allowed inside the zone from 6 am till the time the parade ends.
On January 26, Obama will take part in the Republic Day parade, and Jan 27 he is scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra.
However, Obama arriving during the weekends will prove to be a relief for both the commuters and the authorities from witnessing pangs of weekday traffic hassles.
“We have also been informed that Barack Obama may visit the US Embassy too. Traffic in these routes will have to be cleared accordingly,” said a source in Delhi Traffic Police.