Traffic congestion occurred on the roads leading to India Gate and Purana Qila due to the operation of fountains. To address this issue, the fountains will now operate in two shifts: from 7 am to 1 pm and from 7 pm to 11 pm. If the crowd increases significantly on these roads, the traffic police has requested the Public Works Department (PWD) to consider shutting down the fountains by 9.30-10 pm.
In a separate development, the coordination and election strategy committee of the INDIA alliance, established during the Opposition bloc’s gathering in Mumbai two weeks ago, is scheduled to convene for the first time on Wednesday at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar in New Delhi. Discussions will revolve around seat allocation and planning for a joint rally.
The fountains that were initially installed for the G20 Summit have become a significant attraction, causing traffic disruptions. This issue was particularly pronounced on Monday around ITPO gate numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8, Bhairon Marg, Mathura Road, and Purana Qila Road.
To address the situation, the PWD has decided to implement specific operating hours for all the fountains installed along these routes. Instead of running continuously 24 hours a day during the Summit, they will now operate in two shifts, from 7 am to 1 pm and from 7 pm to 11 pm.
An official reported a massive traffic jam at 8.30 pm on Monday due to people flocking to the ITPO complex and surrounding areas. The fountains, adorned with lights and other decorations, attracted numerous visitors who gathered on the streets to take pictures, resulting in roadblocks. The traffic police requested the PWD to consider shutting down the fountains by 9.30-10 pm if the crowd continues to increase.
PWD officials clarified that they have the flexibility to shut down the fountains even earlier, between 7-8 pm, upon the request of the traffic police. Additionally, between 1 pm and 4 pm, the PWD will clean the fountains and change the water.
In total, 109 sculptures and 49 statues have been installed along PWD roads redeveloped for the G20 Summit.
Parts of Delhi are expected to experience light rainfall and generally cloudy skies on Wednesday, with temperatures ranging between 26 and 35 degrees Celsius, according to the forecast from the Safdarjung weather station of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
