Expect traffic jams today as Obama goes around Delhi

Delhiites will have to face another day of incessant traffic jams, this time, around south Delhi’s Siri Fort auditorium and the Ring Road around South Extension, where US President Barack Obama will address a townhall meeting on Tuesday.

Delhiites will have to face another day of incessant traffic jams, this time, around south Delhi’s Siri Fort auditorium and the Ring Road around South Extension, where US President Barack Obama will address a townhall meeting on Tuesday.

President Obama’s motorcade is likely to reach Siri Fort auditorium around 9am. The roads will remain closed for traffic movement according to the passage of the entourage. However, no vehicle passage will be allowed in August Kranti Marg - the two kilometre road outside the auditorium - and the stretch connecting the road with Green Park till 2.30pm.

Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) were also issued notices by the Delhi traffic police to refrain from using colony roads for residential parking due to security reasons. This restriction will also continue till the president’s address is over.

The colonies affected by this circular are Gulmohar Park, Niti Bagh and Anand Lok. However, since the RWAs were informed of the plan in advance, alternative arrangements are being made by them to avoid any kind of inconvenience by the residents of their respective colonies.

Residents of Shahpur Jat and Asiad Village are also likely to face problems because of the security deployment and checking. “We have got permission from the local traffic district to provide us with alternative arrangements. However, since most people here have independent houses, we have suggested that they make space for their vehicles inside their compound,” said Vivek Sharma, member of Anand Lok RWA.

Other roads which are likely to be affected by the movement are Siri Aurobindo Marg and the Outer Ring Road. However, on these roads, both carriageways will have a free-flow of traffic as directed by traffic constables and vehicles will not be allowed to halt on the side of the road.

Colleges around the auditorium - Kamala Nehru and Gargi - and the ones around ITC Maurya on Sardar Patel Marg - Jesus and Mary and Maitreyi College were also closed during the President’s three day visit.

“We have ensured more deployment around the route to ensure smooth movement of traffic without disrupting the President’s route. We request motorists to cooperate with us and use alternative routes,” said Anil Shukla, joint commissioner of police (traffic).