Vance’s visit: Tight security in Delhi, police roll out traffic measures
Delhi Police has maintained adequate security arrangements in the city — including traffic diversions on specific routes and extra deployment of personnel — in the wake of the arrival of US Vice President J D Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance on Monday.
Vance is on a four-day visit to India and began his day by visiting the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. He is also likely to visit a shopping complex in the national capital that sells traditional Indian handcrafted items.
The traffic police issued an advisory for the general public, urging them to avoid certain stretches through which Vance’s convoy will be passing.
“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,” said a traffic police official.
Due to special security arrangements, traffic restrictions and diversions will be in place on both the carriageways and service roads around IP Marg, ITO Crossing, Vikas Marg, MGM IP Flyover, and BSZ Marg from W-Point 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,” the traffic police advisory stated.
The traffic police also recommended that people avoid Sardar Patel Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Kamal Ataturk Road, Dhaula Kuan Flyover, Gurugram Road, Parade Road, Thimmaiya Marg, and Air Force Road.
“No vehicles will be allowed to halt or park along these stretches, and improperly parked vehicles will be towed and prosecuted. Diversion points have been set up at several key intersections, including Tughlaq Road Roundabout, Claridges Roundabout, Yashwant Place, Shanti Path-Satya Marg, and Satya Marg-‘Niti Marg’,” the advisory added.
The advisory further suggested that commuters traveling towards the Dhaula Kuan Flyover from Indira Gandhi International Airport or vice versa should use Rao Tula Ram Marg. The traffic police also encouraged commuters to use public transport, avoid restricted routes, and plan their travel to ISBTs, railway stations, and airports with sufficient time in hand.
On the security front, a senior officer told The Tribune that advanced security checks have been conducted at the Akshardham Temple, where Vance arrived, and multiple teams of Delhi Police have been deployed there.
The entire route from where Vance travelled was thoroughly sensitised by the cops. “We have already conducted mock drills in line with security protocols for the high-level visit. Security has been strengthened across several parts of Delhi to ensure that everything proceeds smoothly and without incident,” the official said.
Delhi