Monday morning traffic blues on cards for Delhiites

NEW DELHI - With major roads in the capital blocked to facilitate US President Barack Obama’s movements, office-goers will have a tough time Monday as most of the vehicular restrictions will be in place during peak traffic hours.

As Obama is scheduled to visit Rajghat Monday morning, roads around Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial will be closed between 9.00 a.m and 11.00 a.m. Sardar Patel Marg, where the ITC Maurya Hotel where the president is staying, will be closed from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Moreover, roads around India Gate, Ashoka Road, K.G. Marg and Copernicus Marg will be closed to traffic from 11.00 a.m. to 2 p.m. All of these are major arterial roads and the restrictions are likely to cause severe traffic jams.

As high security is in place and many arterial roads have been blocked for the first half of Monday, the traffic police has issued advisories to people not to take these routes and instead opt for the Delhi Metro.

My office is in Connaught Place, I am wondering how to commute. All roads are closed and the Metro is too crowded, said Smita Nagpal, a resident of Preet Vihar.

Obama, who is on a four day visit to India, will be leaving early Tuesday for Indonesia on the next leg of his tour.