New Delhi: US Vice President JD Vance’s visit led to huge traffic snarls on Monday, with commuters stuck for hours due to diversions and restrictions put in place at various parts of the city. Commuters heading to work in Delhi from adjoining Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and Gurugram in Haryana were caught among rows of vehicles in the morning traffic.
US Vice President Vance and Second Lady Usha arrived in New Delhi around 9.50 am on Monday. He has a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the evening.
While the traffic police issued an advisory over its measures for the US vice president’s visit, many commuters said the restrictions put in place for a ‘VIP’ was unfair to the common citizen.
Routes connecting Noida to Delhi, including the extended stretch near Sector 62, the DND (Delhi-Noida Direct) Flyway, and the Meerut Expressway from Ghaziabad, experienced heavy traffic snarls with office-goers taking to social media platforms to express their frustration.
Calling the traffic jam “insane” near Sector 62, Noida, a user on X said, “The 8-km stretch has been overloaded with traffic for more than 45 mins now at Delhi-Meerut NH.” “Very heavy traffic on Delhi-Meerut Expressway on service road towards Delhi from Crossings/Vijay Nagar. Standstill for the last 30 minutes, haven’t moved an inch,” another user wrote.
Delhi Cantt, Dhaula Kuan, Lajpat Nagar, Mahipalur, Vasant Kunj, and Rajouri Garden also saw heavy traffic snarls. “Horrible state of traffic in front of the Supreme Court due to such elaborate traffic arrangements for US vice president. What about us? My wife is not well, the kids are suffering, and I am stuck in a car. Delhi is a horrible place to be, I am sorry to say that,” a commuter said.
Another commuter said that he was stuck in traffic for 45 minutes at Thamaiya Road in Delhi Cantt. “I have a flight, all roads are blocked for the airport. How can this be acceptable today? Why is the public being punished for VIP movement?” he asked.
Delhi Traffic Police has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth movement of Vance’s convoy. A police official said, “Special traffic arrangements will be in place from 6 pm to 9 pm on Monday in view of a special event. The public is advised to avoid specific roads and use alternate routes during the restricted hours.”
“Due to exigencies, traffic restrictions and diversions will be in place in both the carriageways and service road around IP Marg, ITO crossing, Vikas Marg, MGM IP flyover and BSZ Marg from W-Point up to A-Point.
“Commuters are advised to avoid these routes from 9 am to 12 pm and use alternative roads for a hassle-free journey. Parking will only be allowed in designated areas,” an advisory issued by Delhi Traffic Police said.
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