Republic Day parade rehearsal leaves traffic snarled

NEW DELHI: The very first Republic Day parade rehearsal in the city on Thursday threw traffic out of gear despite best-claimed arrangements, leading to over three hours of massive jams on all arterial roads of the capital.

South-bound traffic, whether from east or north, was worst hit as Rajpath and Vijay Chowk, the core of the Republic Day Parade, were closed to general movement of vehicles, including private cars or public transport, and several thousand people spent from one hour to three hours on the roads.

"It took me nearly three hours to travel from Noida to India Habitat Centre as all the roads from Nizammudin Bridge to India Gate were entirely choked. Roads were just jam-packed with vehicles," said Meera Thakur, a city-based interior designer.

"I was completely unaware that traffic was diverted because of the rehearsal. Why can't authorities put signage and educate people well in advance?" asked a visibly irritated Thakur, who missed an important appointment with an NRI.

Abhishek Goswami, a teacher at the Venketeshwara College in south Delhi, said, "I had to call up my students informing them that the class has to be cancelled as I was stuck near the Rajpath for almost 45 minutes. On normal days, I reach the college in just 15 minutes from the Central Secretariat metro station."

Not only the general mass suffered the massive jams when the parade rehearsal kicked off around 8 am from Vijay Chowk, but US Assistant Secretary of Commerce David Bohigian also became victim to the crippled traffic in the city.

Bohigian, who had to reach the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) for a seminar at 12 noon was delayed by 40 minutes.

After reaching the venue, Bohigian said, "Sorry, I am late due to ongoing Republic Day parade rehearsal."      

The traffic remained crippled till 1 pm and foretold the tough days ahead for the Delhiites as military men and machines roll down the Raj Path for more Republic Day parade rehearsals. According to Delhi Police, roads within New Delhi parade area would remain closed on Saturday, Sunday and the day after.

The police said some restrictions would be enforced on the movement of traffic crossing Rajpath from 9 am till mid-day on these days to facilitate the uninterrupted movement of the parade.
 
The police urged those working in the North and South Blocks of the Central Secretariat to move to their offices an hour early to avoid inconvenience.
 
"People are strongly advised to avoid crossing Rajpath till the departure of parade on Rafi Marg, Janpath and Man Singh Road," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Qamar Ahmed said.

Ahmed advised commuters to take Ring Road-Ashram Chowk-Sarai Kale Khan and IP Flyover route to reach Rajghat. People can take Aurobindo Marg-Safdarjung Chowk-Kamal Attaturk Marg-Kautilya Marg-Mother Teresa Crescent-Baba Kharak Singh Marg route to reach New Delhi areas, Ahmed said.

Motorists coming down Vinay Marg, Shantipath and going to New Delhi and beyond should take routes of Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg-Simon Boulevar Marg-Shankar Road-Park Street-Mandir Marg-Mother Teresa Crescent-Baba Kharak Singh Marg and proceed further to north Delhi or New Delhi, he said.
 
The top official also said that general traffic from north side of Rajpath would not be allowed to cross Rajpath to go towards south via Rafi Marg-Janpath and Man Singh Road. 

"Motorists are requested to take Ashoka Road or Rajendra Prasad Road and C-Hexagon to proceed to South Delhi or advance their journey on the rehearsal days and cross Rajpath by 9 a.m. to avoid inconvenience," he added.