Delhi will not see the baton relay

The Queen's Baton, which is travelling in grand processions in cities and towns across the country, will stay off the Capital's roads. HT reports.

The Queen's Baton, which is travelling in grand processions in cities and towns across the country, will stay off the Capital's roads.

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The Group of Ministers (GoM) overseeing the Commonwealth Games preparations on Friday decided to keep the Queen's Baton off Delhi roads to minimise inconvenience to the general public.

"Since a procession would involve blocking the road for a significant period of time, we thought it might be too much for the people to bear," a government source said.

The Queen's Baton Relay 2010 Delhi, similar to the Olympic Torch Relay, is a relay around the world held ahead of the Games. It symbolises peace, harmony and brotherhood through sports.

The official said the ministerial panel decided to receive the Baton at the Delhi-Gurgaon border at a grand function

and take it to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee headquarters for public display.

Similarly, the Queen's Baton would — over the next few days — be taken to iconic locations such as Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat and the Parliament. Cultural events would be organised on a limited scale.