Delhi traffic police conduct carcade rehearsal ahead of G20 summit

New Delhi [India], August 23 (ANI): As part of its preparation for the upcoming 18th Heads of State and Government Summit of the G20 (Group of 20) in the national capital, Delhi traffic police authorities carried out a full-dress carcade rehearsal on selected routes on Wednesday morning. 

The rehearsal started at various hotels and ended at Pragati Maidan. 

The route for this carcade rehearsal was prepared by the Delhi Traffic Unit which included Salimgarh Bypass, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Bhairon Marg, Mathura Road, C-Hexagon, Sardar Patel Marg and Gurgaon Road as part of the rehearsal. 

This exercise was meant to ensure smooth vehicular movement during the mega event, officials said. 

Ahead of their rehearsal, Delhi traffic police also issued a public advisory to save commuters from facing inconvenience.

“Due to carcade rehearsal and special traffic arrangements, some congestion is expected on Salimgarh Bypass, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Bhairon Marg, Mathura Road, C-Hexagon, Sardar Patel Marg and Gurgaon Road till 11 AM,” Delhi traffic police said in its advisory issued on X (formerly Twitter). 

"Commuters are advised to plan their journey accordingly," it added. 

Earlier, on August 21, Delhi traffic police conducted a mock drill exercise on major roads connecting Pragati Maidan - the main venue of the summit, with various hotels in the City, to review restriction and diversion arrangements. 

The venue of the summit will be the newly opened International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre named 'Bharat Mandapam' at Pragati Maidan. 

Delhi Police started preparations a few months ago and have been training staff who are to be deployed at various locations. 

In addition, police are training their staff to handle chemical and biological weapons and also focus on their soft skills. 

The G20 Summit is slated to take place on September 9-10 at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam convention centre at Pragati Maidan. 

Many heads of state and diplomats including US President Joe Biden, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to be attending the G20 Leaders' Summit. 

The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil society. (ANI)