More lanes dedicated to Games traffic

As the Commonwealth Games draw nearer and more lanes dedicated for Games-related traffic become operational, the number of people being issued challans also showed an increase with 172 people booked on Tuesday.

“We issued 149 challans and served 23 notices today. There were 65 violations reported from the Southern range and 64 from Central Delhi,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg.

He agreed that there was more congestion and prosecution because two more routes -- from the Games Village to Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and Indira Gandhi Sports Complex -- were also opened for Games-related traffic.

He said Games lanes leading to Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, Thyagaraj Sports Complex, R. K. Khanna Tennis Complex and Siri Fort Sports Complex would be opened for some time on Wednesday in addition to existing restrictions.

The restrictions imposed on entry and parking of vehicles around Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from Tuesday also went off well, according to Mr. Garg. Commuters unaware of the new restrictions were seen being guided by traffic police personnel deployed around the stadium. No buses or heavy vehicles were allowed to enter Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium road.

Meanwhile, the State Transport Department also issued a notification regarding commercial vehicles in and around Delhi from September 30 to October 15. It prohibits the entry, plying and idle parking of heavy, medium and light goods vehicles from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on 84 roads including NH-8, Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Aurobindo Marg, Nelson Mandela Marg, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, Thimmaiah Marg, Shankar Road, DBG Road, Rani Jhansi Road.

It also imposed peak hour and 24-hour restrictions on entry, plying and idle parking of HGVs, MGVs on certain roads.

Delhi Traffic Police will launch a volunteer programme for Commonwealth Games on Wednesday wherein Delhiites would be allowed to assist traffic policemen in different parts of the city. These volunteers would be handed over their kits and begin working along with the traffic police from Thursday, said Mr. Garg.

The volunteers would not have the power to prosecute offenders, but would assist traffic policemen stationed at various places in the city.