Traffic moved at snail's pace in Delhi due to R-day rehearsal

Commuters and office goers had a tough time reaching their destinations specially in Lutyens' zone and central Delhi due to traffic restrictions on different stretches of the national capital on account of full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade today.
Traffic restrictions were put in place last night in Lutyens' Delhi and areas around India Gate were banned for vehicular traffic from 11 PM.
Monday being the first working day, the office goers had to take detours for reaching their destinations.
"It usually takes me 45 minutes to reach my office in Connaught Place but today I had to drive four Kms extra to reach office from my house in Bharat Nagar," said Rajat, a private marketing executive.

Commuters from east Delhi were also stranded in heavy traffic as ITO crossing was blocked for vehicles heading towards Mandi House.
"I started for my office near Patel Chowk at 9 AM but reached there almost one and a half hour late around 11.30 AM," said a resident of Mayur Vihar in east Delhi.

Delhi Traffic police reported congestion at Delhi-Noida border, Kalindikunj and Badarpur border due to the Republic Day arrangements.
"The traffic was affected in some parts of the city although an advisory was issued in advance. No major traffic snarls reported to us," said a Delhi Traffic Police officer.

The traffic restrictions were put in place from 9 AM to 12.30 PM, the end of the full-dress rehearsal.
No traffic movement was permitted on Rajpath from Vijay Chowk to India Gate from 6.30 PM yesterday. Cross traffic was allowed on Rafi Marg, Janpath and Man Singh Road.
Areas and roads around India Gate including C-Hexagon and Tilak Marg were also closed for traffic.