As stringent traffic regulations came into force in the New Delhi district in view of the G20 Summit, the area on Friday wore a deserted look with empty roads, and even key landmarks were without visitors.
New Delhi was heavily barricaded, with police checking vehicles and IDs of those entering the area around the summit venue and hotels where the delegates will be staying.
At the exit point of Patel Chowk metro station, which is close to some of the hotels accommodating the delegates, commuters’ IDs were being checked. Those who were not bonafide residents of the area or could not provide any valid reason for their presence in the area were asked to return.
The Hanuman Mandir in New Delhi, which is thronged by devotees, was also empty. The Connaught Place market and other markets were shut owing to the security arrangements for the summit.
Rita Kumar, a media professional, said, “I drove from Noida Extension to New Delhi for some work. Usually, it would have taken me over an hour to reach the area since there is traffic, but today I reached it in 40 minutes since the roads were empty. There was checking, but no inconvenience.” Stringent traffic regulations were put in place in New Delhi on Friday morning, while online delivery services, except for medicines, have been barred in the area where the G20 summit venue and hotels for delegates are located, officials said.