Restrictions on movement in CP irk Delhiites

The cycling event on Sunday and the security arrangements for it were received with mixed feeling by Delhiites. Traffic restrictions all over Central Delhi ensured that a number of people who had come from far-flung areas to watch the event went home disappointed.

The cycling event on Sunday and the security arrangements for it were received with mixed feeling by Delhiites. Traffic restrictions all over Central Delhi ensured that a number of people who had come from far-flung areas to watch the event went home disappointed.

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"There was complete mismanagement on part of the traffic police. We just wanted to watch the event but they told us that spectators were not allowed. We tried reasoning with them but to no avail," said Ravi Verma, a resident of Vasant Kunj.

"Why do they host such events if the public can't even watch it?"

Satyendra Garg, Joint CP (traffic), said, "Around 300 officers were manning the route and such deployment was necessary considering that it was a road event. Alternate routes had been provided to commuters and had been adequately advertised to minimize trouble."

There were a number of people who had got stuck at CP as traffic constables were not allowing anyone to move around though they had made claims of creating 'spectators gallery'.

Some entry points to Rajiv Chowk metro station were opened but the traffic police was not allowing anyone to go there.

"In the morning we were allowed spectators to park their vehicles near C-Hexagon and walk near the spectators' gallery to watch the event. We had also made spectators gallery at A and B block of CP where people could gather," Garg said.

Roads falling on the cycling routes were given a wash just a day before and were looking spic-and-span. "Too bad the people whom they are actually meant for weren't allowed to even tread on them," said Shankar Das Muhkerjee, a resident of Bengali Market.

Meanwhile, 12 stray dogs were removed from the cycling track and re-located on Sunday.