Delhi Police issues traffic advisory for Beating Retreat ceremony

People will have to be ready for detours and diversions on some key roads in central Delhi on Friday evening because of traffic restrictions for the Beating Retreat

People will have to be ready for detours and diversions on some key roads in central Delhi on Friday evening because of traffic restrictions for the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk.

The illuminated South Block and North Block after a rehearsal of the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

According to a traffic advisory issued by Delhi Police, Vijay Chowk will remain shut for any traffic movement between 3.30pm to 9.30pm. Entry and exit to Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat Metro stations will also be closed from 2pm till 6.30pm.

Those thronging to see the parade and illuminated government buildings can park their cars at Rafi Marg and C-Hexagon only after 7pm. Traffic police have also advised drivers to avoid Rafi Marg between Sunehri Masjid and Krishi Bhawan roundabouts.

No private or public vehicles will be allowed on Raisina Road from Krishi Bhawan roundabout towards Vijay Chowk. Similar traffic restrictions will be in place beyond Dalhousie Road roundabout, Krishna Menon Marg roundabout and Sunehri Masjid roundabout towards Vijay Chowk, Sharad Agarwal, joint commissioner of police (traffic) told HT. The Rajpath stretch between Vijay Chowk and C-Hexagon will only be open for pedestrians.

The Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory because several key routes will be restricted on Friday evening due to the Beating Retreat ceremony. (Picture courtesy: Twitter/Delhi Police)

Buses bound for Central Secretariat and Connaught Place and arriving from Shantipath – Vinay Marg-Sardar Patel Marg will take Panchsheel Marg – Simon Boliver Marg –Vande Matram Marg – Shankar Road roundabout towards Park Street.

All DTC and city buses bound for Central Secretariat will terminate at Udyan Marg and they will return via Kali Bari Marg – Mandir Marg and Shankar Road.

“Connaught Place bound buses will take Mandir Marg, Kali Bari Marg, GPO, Baba Khadag Singh Marg and reach Connaught Place and will return via Bhagat Singh Marg, Peshwa Road, Mandir Marg, Shankar Road and Vande Matram Marg,” Agarwal said.

Similarly, buses coming from south Delhi on Tughlaq Road and bound for Connaught Place/Central Secretariat will be diverted from Aurobindo Chowk to Safdarjung Road, Kamal Attaturk Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Simon Boliver Marg and follow the route as mentioned as mentioned for buses reaching Central Secretariat and Connaught Place from Shantipath side.

As per the traffic advisory, buses coming to Mandi House and Feroz Shah Road will proceed to Connaught Place via Barakhamba Road and they will terminate at Shivaji Stadium and return via Kasturba Gandhi Marg. Connaught Place bound buses coming on Shahjahan Road will proceed to Shivaji Stadium via ‘C’ Hexagon – Kasturba Gandhi Marg.

The police have also requested people to alert the nearest policeman on duty in case they come across any suspicious person or object.