Cops crack the whip, fine 400 lane violators

As the Commonwealth Games  draws closer, the traffic police have cracked the whip on those entering dedicated Games lanes. Over 400 motorists were issued challans on Wednesday. This is more than double the daily average so far since the new provision for a Rs 2,000 fine was implemented. The dedicated lanes, meanwhile, continued to cause congestion on arterial roads forcing several office-goers to stagger their work hours.

The situation will remain similar on Thursday, as the routes connecting six key venues — Games Village, Games hotels in Chanakyapuri, JLN Stadium, IG Stadium, Major Dhyanchand Stadium and IGI airport — will remain out of bounds from 8am to 8pm. Roads leading to some other venues including Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, RK Khanna and Thyagaraj Stadium were also blocked for brief durations during the day to facilitate movement of athletes.

The roadblocks led to jams on several stretches, including Mathura Road, Ring Road, DND, Kamal Attaturk Marg, SP Marg, Africa Avenue Marg and Lodhi Road. ''I was stuck on the DND toll road for more than 40 minutes because of a major jam at Ashram. I have requested my office for flexible work hours now and plan to avoid the peak hours by reaching work by 8am and returning before 6pm,'' said Pulkit Singhal, a resident of South Extension.

The traffic police said that with over 1,000 more athletes having arrived in the city on Wednesday, the intensity of movement of Games traffic has increased. This has made it more important to ensure that the Games Lane is clear at all times. ''Overall, the compliance with Games Lanes has been credible for Delhiites. There is discomfort but people have been cooperating with the restrictions imposed. But with the number of athletes and movements increasing, it is important to ensure discipline on the roads and keep the passage clear for Games traffic,'' said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

Meanwhile, a 42-year-old pedestrian, a labourer, was injured when a Commonwealth Games car hit him on the dedicated Games lane in the Dhaula Kuan on Wednesday morning.