Traffic curbs, special checking during New Year fete

The traffic police will impose restrictions in the vicinity of central Delhi’s Connaught Place on Thursday evening till the conclusion of New Year celebrations. The restrictions from 8.30 pm onwards will be applicable to private and public transport vehicles as well as special checking will be conducted across the capital.

People coming out of their homes in large numbers on Christmas last week had resulted in choked roads at several places in the capital. Among the affected roads were those at Connaught Place, the adjoining radial roads and the ones located in areas with malls and markets. However, such restrictions by traffic police are made in Connaught Place every year.

“We have made elaborate traffic arrangements throughout the city for smooth flow and regulation of traffic on the eve of New Year,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) David Lalrinsanga.

No vehicle will be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place beyond Mandi House, Bengali Market, Minto Road, R K Ashram Marg, Gole Market and Kasturba Gandhi Road. “Limited parking space will be available near Connaught Place on first come, first serve basis,” Lalrinsanga added.

Unauthorisedly parked vehicles will be towed away and prosecuted. In addition to Connaught Place, areas where arrangements have been made include Saket, Greater Kailash M-Block Market, New Friends Colony, Defence Colony, South Extension, Nehru Place near Eros Hotel, Vasant Vihar, Vasant Kunj, Rajouri Garden, Laxmi Nagar and Mayur Vihar.

“There will be well laid arrangements where such celebrations will be organised,” Lalrinsanga said.

As per directions of Supreme Court, the traffic police will also seize and suspend driving licence in cases of over-speeding, traffic signal jumping, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and using mobile phone while driving. “The suspension will not be for less than three months. During that period, the driver will not be able to drive any vehicle,” Lalrinsanga added.