Traffic Snarls On March 21 Likely
Traffic in Central and New Delhi is expected to come to a standstill on March 21 as most of the arterial roads will remain closed in view of US president Bill Clinton's visit.
As a result of traffic build up in these areas, policemen expect traffic to be thrown out of gear in several other parts of the Capital.
"Though we know that traffic snarls will occur in a radius of several kilometers, we are not sure how large the area will actually be. That will be clear only on Tuesday," said a traffic official.
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As the US President will be visiting Rajghat, traffic on Ring Road will not be allowed. "This will result in two things," said a police official. "Firstly, both ITO and Nizamuddin will get blocked, making going across the Yamuna impossible. Secondly, we have seen that every time Ring Road is closed, it automatically results in traffic jams on several other roads in the vicinity.
Theoretically, the Delhi traffic police has come up with several alternate routes to get in and out of the affected area. Motorists coming from North Delhi and bound for Connaught Place have been advised to use Sikandra Road, Mandi House and Barakhamba Road.
Those coming from South Delhi have been asked to use the Wellington Crescent, RML Hospital and Baba Kharak Singh Marg. Those who use the Purana Quila Road, Shershah Road, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, Pandara Road, Shahjahan Road have been advised to to use Akbar Road, Moti Lal Nehru Place, Janpath and Windsor Place instead.
Those wishing to get to RML Hospital from North Delhi will be diverted towards ISBT Azad Market, Filmistan, Rani Jhansi Road, Jhandewalan, Mandir Marg and Park Street. Motorists coming from South will be expected to use Aurobindo Chowk, Teen Murti and Wellington Crescent.
People wishing to get to LNJP Hospital from North can come from New Darya Ganj Road, Subhash Marg and Delhi Gate side. People going to New Delhi Railway station are advised to avoid Ajmeri Gate side and use the Paharganj side.
Despite the diversions, traffic policemen said that those who do not have very important work in the area, should avoid coming here.