Traffic trials for Commonwealth Games throw traffic out of gear in Delhi

Delhiites had a harrowing time reaching their destinations this morning as the city police conducted trials on exclusive lanes for Commonwealth Games during peak office hours.

The rehearsals were conducted on four stretches for two hours from 8 am, which threw traffic out of gear as police blocked one lane on these roads for Games traffic.

The trials were conducted on Chandgi Ram Akhada to Mall Road on Ring Road, Ring Road-NH-24 to Ghazipur Crossing, Kalkaji Mandir-Ma Anand Mai Marg-Lal Kuan-MB Road-Suraj Kund Road and SPM-Panchsheel to RML via Mother Taresa Crescent.

On all these stretches as well as its arterial roads, vehicles were seen choc-a-bloc and moving at a snail's pace.

This was the first time that Delhi Police conducted trials on reserved lanes during peak hours.

"It was frustrating. I was in a rush to reach my office but was stuck in the traffic from 8:15 am," said Anurag Chatterjee, a software professional.

Delhi Police had to abort their plans to conduct trials during peak evening hours last evening due to rains and there was a question mark over the rehearsals today.

The trials are being conducted during peak hours to study the impact of the move once the exclusive lanes come into effect on September.

The trials, which were conducted on six days this month, on several stretches this month had troubled commuters.

These rehearsals are meant to familiarise commuters about the pattern of traffic movement during the Games, he said.

The exclusive lanes for Games will come into effect from September 20 and those straying into those lanes will be penalised Rs2,000 and their vehicles will be impounded.

"Traffic Police has made elaborate arrangements for smooth movement of Commonwealth Games related traffic during the event," the official said.

Initially, the restrictions on Games lanes will be operational during night time only as international flights carrying athletes are scheduled during those hours.

Though the route from Games Village to competition venues and airport will have a dedicated lane, there will be no such facility for practice venues.

The lane may be thrown open for public when no Games vehicle is scheduled to use it, the official said.

Public has been advised to avoid as far as possible CWG lanes in general and Safdurjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, Siri Fort Road, Harsukh Marg, Purana Qila Road and Mother Teresa Crescent Road in particular as these roads are having two lanes in one carriageway and one lane has already been reserved for Games-related traffic.