September 11, 2023
Introduction
A day after the conclusion of the G20 Summit in India’s capital city, Delhi found itself facing significant traffic disruptions as foreign dignitaries continued their stay for bilateral discussions and some made their way to the airport for departure.
The streets of Delhi experienced heavy traffic on Monday morning, with certain routes being diverted to accommodate the movements of these foreign dignitaries. A senior traffic police officer explained, “In the presence of some dignitaries still in the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) area, and some leaving for the airport, dedicated routes had to be created, leading to traffic disruptions in some parts of south and central Delhi.”
This traffic congestion was expected to persist throughout the day as dignitaries would be departing from the city later on. Despite traffic advisories issued ahead of the G20 summit, Monday morning had not been specifically mentioned. To alleviate congestion during the summit, the traffic police had encouraged citizens to use the metro on September 8, 9, and 10.
Among the notable visits scheduled for Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was set to attend a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House. The Crown Prince was also slated to meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening before departing from the city.
Many dignitaries were Scheduled to Leave
In addition to Saudi Arabia, dignitaries from Brazil, Mauritius, and Mexico were also scheduled to leave during the day. This led to heavy traffic in areas such as Dhaula Kuan, a crucial route to the airport, according to the traffic police.
Frustrated commuters took to social media to express their grievances, reporting gridlock in areas like Dhaula Kuan and around India Gate. One commuter described a traffic jam on the Ring Road, en route to Moti Bagh, saying, “Stuck here on Dhaula Kuan for the past hour. No information about what happened here. Everyone is clueless.”
Conclusion
As Delhi continues to host important diplomatic discussions and bids farewell to international delegates, traffic management remains a challenge for local authorities, with citizens advised to plan their routes accordingly during these events.
