Delhi G20 Summit: Curbs Come into Force, Vehicle Movement Restricted; Strict Scrutiny in Metro Stns

Delhi Traffic Police has put up multiple restrictions as other law enforcement agencies turned city into a fortress ahead of the G20 summit. The roads wore a deserted look as rules enforced for the summit kicked in on Friday.

New Delhi was heavily fortified, with police conducting thorough checks on vehicles and scrutinizing the IDs of individuals entering the vicinity surrounding the summit venue and the hotels designated for the delegates’ stay.

In a new post on X, Delhi Traffic Police added a set of new guidelines like ban on entry of goods vehicles (HGV/MG/LGV) except engaged in essential services has been restricted in Delhi.

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All modes of transport ie, Buses, TS/ Taxi etc. on Ring Road and road network beyond Ring Road towards the borders are operational as usual and will continue during the summit also.

Metro Services are also functional. There is no restriction on the vehicles engaged in emergency and essential services throughout the Delhi.

The cops also urged citizens to use Mappis (Mapmyindia) App for navigation, which is providing suggested routes in consonance with traffic regulations during the Summit.

At the exit of the Patel Chowk metro station, situated in close proximity to some delegate-accommodating hotels, commuters’ IDs underwent scrutiny. Those who could not establish themselves as legitimate residents of the area or provide a valid reason for their presence were directed to leave.

The Hanuman Mandir in New Delhi, typically bustling with devotees, wore an unusually quiet atmosphere. The Connaught Place market, along with other markets, remained closed in light of the security measures implemented for the summit.

New Delhi district has been designated as Controlled Zone-I from Friday 5 am till Sunday 11.59 pm because of the summit. Police have urged people not to visit India Gate and Kartavya Path for walking, cycling or picnicking.

The movement of vehicles is being regulated in the district but ambulances, locals and tourists staying in the area are being permitted to travel by presenting proper identification documents, the police said.

The Delhi Metro started its services from 4 am from the terminal stations on all lines of the network on Friday and the same will continue on Saturday and Sunday.

Officials said over 50,000 personnel along with dog squads and mounted police have been deployed to keep a hawk-eye vigil during the summit.

In an advisory issued on August 25, the Delhi Traffic Police listed out restrictions on the movement of goods vehicles, buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis. It urged people to use metro services as much as possible due to regulated traffic movement.

Police have advised people to use the navigation app ‘Mapmyindia’ to get around the city till the restrictions are in place.

The essential services such as postal and medical services, and sample collections by pathological labs are being allowed throughout Delhi.

The entire area inside the Ring Road (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) has been designated as a “regulated zone”. This means that only bonafide residents, authorised vehicles, emergency vehicles, and those travelling to the airport, Old Delhi and New Delhi Railway Stations will be allowed to ply on the road network beyond the Ring Road towards New Delhi district.

The vehicles dealing with housekeeping, catering and waste management for hotels, hospitals and other important

installations in New Delhi district will also be allowed after verification.

Nearly 16 roads and junctions will be treated as “Controlled Zone II” till 2 pm on Sunday. These include W-Point, A-Point, DDU Marg, Vikas Marg (till Noida Link Road-Pusta Road), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Delhi Gate, among others.

The police has requested people to avoid travelling to places within the “regulated” and “controlled zones”. It has listed alternative routes to take in case travel is unavoidable.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said parking facilities at the Supreme Court, Patel Chowk and RK Ashram Marg metro stations will be closed from 4 am on September 8 till September 11 noon.

All types of goods vehicles, commercial vehicles, interstate buses and buses of the Delhi Transport Corporation and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System will not be allowed to ply on the Mathura Road (beyond Ashram Chowk), Bhairon Road, Purana Quila Road and inside the Pragati Maidan Tunnel from September 8 midnight till 11.59 pm on September 10.

Interstate buses coming through the Ghazipur Border are terminating at ISBT Sarai Kale Khan, while those from the Apsara Border, Chilla Border, Badarpur Border, Tikei Border and Singhu border will terminate at ISBT Kashmere Gate, ISBT Sarai Kale Khan, Ashram Chowk, Peeragarhi Chowk and Mukarba Chowk, respectively.

The Delhi Police has advised people to follow real-time traffic updates on the ‘G-20 Virtual Help Desk’ for route suggestions for commuting to and from the airport, railway stations or bus terminals.

The G20 Summit will be held on September 9-10. The summit is set to be attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations