G20 Summit: What's Open, What's Closed in Delhi? All you need to know about public holidays, traffic restrictions

G20 Summit: As the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) prepares to host the next G20 Summit, the authorities have provided guidelines for what will be open and what will be closed during the summit meeting. These steps are being taken to decongest the city's streets, some of which will be out of bounds for the general public owing to VIP vehicular movement. The G20 Summit will take place on September 9 and 10 in the newly-built Bharat Mandapam convention centre at Delhi's Pragati Maidan.

Delhi Traffic Police has advised people to use the Delhi Metro's services for commuting as there would be restrictions on bus movements during the two days of the summit. The restriction is mostly in Delhi's Lutyens area, where the venues for the summit are located.

Addressing a press conference, SS Yadav, Special Commissioner of Police, Traffic, said, "There will be no effect on ambulance movement or essential services. However, there will be restrictions on plying of city buses in the New Delhi area. But there will be no restrictions on Delhi Metro. People are advised to use the Metro for commuting to their destination." He also said that a virtual helpdesk will be launched on the Delhi Police website that will list out available transport facilities and nearby medical facilities.

Interstate buses would be permitted to enter Delhi, but they will not be permitted to terminate at the interstate bus terminals, according to the  officials. Goods vehicles will not be permitted to enter Delhi during the summit, with the exception of those carrying critical items with authorization.

Aalap Patel, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, New Delhi, said that people who live in the Lutyens area and tourists with hotel bookings will be allowed to commute via autorickshaws and taxis. Adding to this, he said, "People coming from Delhi Airport to Lutyens' Delhi will only be allowed entry after proper verification of ID cards." He further added that, for ambulance service, people can call this number: 6828400604, and the service will be launched on September 7. 

The restriction order will come into force at midnight on September 7 and will remain in effect until midnight on September 10. According to officials, 10,000 police officers will be on the grounds during the summit.

On Tuesday, August 22, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approved a proposal to declare public holidays between September 8 and September 10 in view of the summit. All city schools, as well as the offices of the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), will remain closed for three days. Moreover, all commercial and business entities, including banks and financial institutions, located within the jurisdiction of the New Delhi police district would also be closed.

As the main event of the G20 summit will be held in New Delhi under India's Presidency, it is expected to draw 29 Heads of State, top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.

With inputs from agencies

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