Major traffic diversion planned ahead of the Hockey World Cup at National Stadium

Friday , Feb 26, 2010

Two days before the Hockey World Cup kick starts in the national capital, major traffic diversions on some of the busiest stretches in the city are staring in the face of already hassled commuters.

The Delhi traffic police have advised motorists to avoid India Gate-C-Hexagon and its radial roads during the hockey matches scheduled at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The police may close part or entire C-Hexagon during the tournament.

"Spectators can park their vehicles at Bhairon Mandir and zoo parking. And can walk down to the stadium for an entry. High denomination ticket holders and accredited guests can park their vehicles at Central Vista, south side and north side of Rajpath. Only labelled vehicles will be allowed in the parking lots near the stadium," said Joint Commissioner of Police (traffic) Satyendra Garg.

"There won't be any parking of vehicles on Tilak Marg, C-Hexagon, Purana Quila Road, Sher Shah Road, Mathura Road, K.G. Marg, Copernicus Marg, Ashoka Road. Vehicles parked on these roads will be towed away and prosecuted," added Garg. And the commuters are certainly not amused.

 "It would have been better if all the offices were shut down like the schools during Commonwealth Games. Opting for alternate routes is manageable for one or two days. But commuting in this manner for 14 days is asking for too much," said, Praveen Kumar Sinha, a banker, working at ITO.

"The government should come up with a concrete plan to solve the traffic problem. Events of this level will be hosted every now and then, but this shouldn't hamper the traffic movement," said Chandan Kumar, a relationship manager working at Karol Bagh.

Roniee, a Delhi University student had similar concerns to share. "The traffic is at its peak in the morning. The diversions will only to add to the chaos, making it impossible for us to reach our destination. If this is the state at the moment, I wonder what will happen during the Commonwealth Games."

Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/only-four-of-eight-cp-subways-to-meet-october-target/584705/0