Games lanes will remain shut for 12 hours from today

Sunday, Sep 26, 2010



Stretches in south Delhi and New Delhi are almost certain to face traffic snarls as the Commonwealth Games lanes will be reserved from 8 am to 8 pm.

Some stretches will have only one lane for regular commuters. Motorists need to be aware while driving on the Games routes. The Delhi Traffic Police will start penalising the violators of the Games lane. Offenders will be fined Rs 2,000.

Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Satyendra Garg said: "To facilitate Games-related traffic, exclusive lanes will be maintained from 8 am to 8 pm on certain stretches from Sunday. These will be from the Games Village-NH 24-Ring Road (on the left) - Barapullah flyover - 4th Avenue - Lodhi Road- Safdarjung Road-Kamal Ataturk Marg- Panchsheel Marg.

The lanes will remain exclusive till October 16." A traffic police officer said people will be informed in advance through SMS, websites and the media about the lanes restriction and they should plan alternate routes accordingly. "People can also identify the restriction through the deployment of traffic police personnel, boards and bollards," the officer added.

So, if you notice traffic cops deployed on a particular lane or signs about the enforcement of lane reservation, better avoid the stretch.

The officer said all commuters are expected to maintain the sanctity of the dedicated lanes. They should avoid getting into the lanes and if they inadvertently enter them, they should immediately come out.

"Motorists have a tendency to cross the yellow line when they don't find traffic personnel. But, they should be aware about the penalty and there will be zero tolerance towards violations," the officer added.

The public has been advised to avoid stretches with CWG lanes as much as possible, especially Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, Siri Fort Road, Harsukh Marg, Purana Qila Road and Mother Teresa Crescent.

A senior traffic police officer said the main purpose is to facilitate the movement of Games participants with minimum trouble to general commuters. Keeping this in mind, the traffic police have announced about need- based restrictions on CWG routes.

In a meeting attended by top Delhi government officers, the police, the Games Organising Committee, and the Delhi Development Authority, some chef de missions proposed blocking the dedicated lanes from 6 am to 11 pm for commuters. But the request was turned down by the government.

Original news source http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/114060/Sports/games-lanes-will-remain-shut-for-12-hours-from-today.html