18 Nov : Delhi Police has made elaborate arrangements to ensure that commuters face no problems near Pragati Maidan in New Delhi as the India International Trade Fair (IITF) will be open to public from Friday.
The Fair attracts a crowd of around a lakh every day.
The fair was inaugurated on 14th November but only business visitors were allowed to access the building till now.
Restrictions on parking and pedestrian movement are among a slew of measures taken by the city police to ensure a smooth flow of traffic during the fair.
No vehicle will be allowed to halt or park on Mathura Road near Pragati Maidan, a senior police official said.
Besides, he said, pedestrians will not be allowed to cross the road near Pragati Maidan and they will have to use the three foot-overbridges on Mathura Road and an underpass in Bhairon Road to cross the stretch.
“Lakhs of people come for the fair. One can expect congestion on Mathura Road, Bhairon Road, Ring Road, Sher Shah Road and Purana Quila Road during these days,” the official said.
To ensure smooth traffic, he said parking on Mathura Road, Bhairon Road, Sher Shah Road and Purana Quila Road will not be allowed along with U-turn on Mathura Road and right turn from Mathura Road to Purana Quila Road.
“There is no parking available for people in the vicinity of Pragati Maidan,” he said adding visitors have to avail the two ‘Park and Ride’ facilities at Sunehri Pullah on Lodhi Road and Ashpond behind Rajghat.
“There will be no entry after 4 PM on weekends and after 6 PM on weekdays. Tickets are sold upto 4 PM on weekdays and upto 2 PM on weekend. While the first five days were reserved for business visitors, the fair will be open for public from 19th November,” he said.
Tickets can be bought at any Metro Station in Delhi or NCR and can also be bought at Gate No 1 and 2 of Pragati Maidan.
There is no sale of tickets for the fair anywhere else. Metro will be the best mode of transport for those visiting the fair as Pragati Maidan Metro station is near the venue.
Anticipating huge rush, Delhi Metro will run trains at peak hour frequency of two minutes from 19th to 27th November when the fair is open for public.
People can also take DTC buses (No.s 344, 355, 374, 403, 405, 411, 419, 423, 429, 438 and 980) to reach the venues. Pre-paid auto facility will be available for visitors at Gate No 2 and 9.
The trade fair will conclude on 27th November.
