Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) Road blocks and diversions in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games yet again slowed down traffic and led to jams in some areas, causing difficulties for the office-goers and other commuters Tuesday, the second day of the mega event competition.

Traffic jams were reported on the arterial Aurobindo Marg, Mother Dairy-ITO area in east Delhi, and the commercial district of Nehru Place in south Delhi during the morning rush hours, said an official of the Delhi Traffic Police, adding that “the traffic is smooth now”.

The traffic police have been alerting Delhiites about the traffic diversions, but commuters are still finding it difficult to reach their offices, business locations during the peak hours.

“Yes, I knew that the Games will bring back the traffic woes. The mornings in the city already have a crawling traffic and with all these diversions, the traffic flow which used to be divided between various routes has now concentrated on the only route open. For hours, the traffic does not move now,” said Gopal Krishnan, who stays in Mayur Vihar area near the Games Village, and takes many traffic diversions on his way to Okhla office.

According to a police official, the road diversions lead to traffic jams but it was still under control.

“It is for the security of Delhiites and the guests who have come from other countries that these road blocks and diversions have been created. Traffic flow slows down but it is not for long,” said another traffic official.

Over 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories are in the capital for the Oct 3-14 Games, India’s biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games.