As massive crowds are anticipated to gather for New Year's Eve celebrations, the Delhi Traffic Police has rolled out a comprehensive plan to manage vehicular movement in and around Connaught Place. The special arrangements, detailed in an advisory issued on Tuesday, will be enforced to ensure safety and smooth flow during the festivities.
Traffic Restrictions and Road Closures
The special traffic arrangements will come into effect from 7:00 PM on December 31 and will remain in place until the New Year celebrations conclude. The restrictions apply to all private and public transport vehicles unless they have specific permission. Authorities have identified multiple regulation points beyond which no vehicle will be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place.
Key intersections and points where traffic will be regulated include:
- Mandi House and Bengali Market
- Patel Chowk and Gole Market
- Windsor Place and the GPO
- Ranjit Singh Flyover and Minto Road-DDU Marg crossing
- Chelmsford Road near New Delhi Railway Station
- R K Ashram Marg-Chitragupta Marg crossing
- Major intersections on Kasturba Gandhi Road and Jai Singh Road
Most significantly, vehicular traffic will be completely prohibited in the Inner, Middle, and Outer Circles of Connaught Place. The only exception will be for vehicles displaying valid entry passes issued by the authorities.
Designated Parking Locations for Revellers
To accommodate the influx of vehicles, the Traffic Police have designated several parking areas near the celebration hub. Parking will be strictly on a first-come-first-serve basis, and vehicles parked illegally will be towed away.
The earmarked parking stretches include areas near Gole Dak Khana such as Kali Bari Marg, Pandit Pant Marg, and Bhai Veer Singh Marg. Other available parking spots will be on:
- Rakab Ganj Road
- Copernicus Marg
- Babar Road and Tansen Marg
- Windsor Place
- Jantar Mantar Road
- Raisina Road
Alternate Routes and Commuter Advisory
The advisory also outlines important changes for those heading to the New Delhi Railway Station. Access to the station from the Connaught Place side via Chelmsford Road will be completely barred. Commuters are advised to use alternative routes approaching from the south or via Ajmeri Gate instead.
Police have indicated that traffic restrictions could also be implemented around India Gate if there is a significant increase in pedestrian movement in that area. To minimise personal inconvenience and reduce congestion, the Delhi Traffic Police strongly recommends that people use public transportation for their travel on New Year's Eve.
Commuters are urged to avoid the affected roads altogether and plan their journeys in advance, keeping the restrictions and parking limitations in mind. Staying updated through official channels and allowing for extra travel time is essential for a hassle-free experience while ringing in the New Year in the national capital.
