Traffic chaos

The traffic police have a list of roads that commuters should avoid on January 25 and 26 — Shanti Path, Teen Murti, South Avenue, Akbar Road, Vijay Chowk, Mother Teresa Crescent, Sardar Patel Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Kautilya Marg and Safdarjung Road.

Traffic police chief Dependra Pathak said that no route will be closed completely for the public on January 24 and 25, but commuters could be stopped for some time to let the dignitaries pass. “It is possible that sometimes traffic movement on a particular road could be stalled on four or five occasions at close intervals. That can create a ripple effect on traffic movement,” Pathak said.

Traffic police are trying to avoid a repeat of the New Year’s Day gridlock around India Gate, when about 250,000 people gathered there, triggering tailbacks in east and south Delhi.

They plan to be in touch with Google to update the traffic situation and suggest alternative routes on those four days. “We will be updating Google about any restrictions … Like in some cases in the past, Google Maps will recommend an alternative route to motorists so that they do not take restricted roads,” Pathak said.

“We will also put out traffic advisories in newspapers, on news channels, through radio stations, on social media and through personal SMSES. Police personnel will be out on the roads in full force to ensure motorists do not face inconvenience,” he added.

The traffic police are being extra-cautious because central Delhi came to a standstill during the India-africa Summit in October 2015 because of VIP movements and road restrictions, officials said.

“In the past, Delhi hosted international events that saw as many as 42 heads of states. Delhi is used to it, but traffic police will have to work with precision and synchronise timings of VIP movements perfectly,” said Maxwell Pereira, a former Delhi traffic police chief.

“They will need to ensure roads are closed for the smallest possible time.”