Modi's swearing-in: Roads to Rashtrapati Bhawan shut from 2PM to 8PM

New Delhi: All roads leading to Rashtrapati Bhawan will be closed for general traffic from 2 PM to 8 PM on Monday in view of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

Delhi Police said in a traffic advisory that it has decided to close down Rajpath (from Vijay Chowk to Rashtrapati Bhawan), Vijay Chowk and its North and South Fountain area, South Avenue Marg, North Avenue Marg, Dalhousie Road and Church Road on Monday from 2 PM to 8 PM.

All routes leading to the North Block and South Block will be cordoned off on Monday and Section 144 will be imposed for the high profile ceremony.

The decision to close down the roads was taken as part of the elaborate security arrangements for the event which would be attended by a number of important heads of state, senior political leaders, diplomats, dignitaries and senior government functionaries, the advisory said.

"Elaborate security and traffic arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the function and for the invitees to reach the venue conveniently, besides ensuring smooth traffic movement and circulation around Rashtrapati Bhawan," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Shukla.

Apart from closing down those roads, there would be diversions on other routes around Rashtrapati Bhawan to facilitate movement of VVIPs/VIPs.

The roads where diversions would be in place are Raisina Road (beyond roundabout of Rail Bhawan towards Parliament House), Pandit Pant Marg (beyond roundabout of Talkatora towards Parliament House) and K Kamraj Marg (beyond roundabout of Kamraj Marg towards Rashtrapati Bhawan).

Diversions would also be in place at Moti Lal Nehru Marg (beyond roundabout of Udyog Bhawan towards Rashtrapati Bhawan), E-Block, Security Lines Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, Sardar Patel Marg, Vinay Marg, Shanker Road and roundabout of RML Hospital, the traffic advisory said.

Motorists and general public have been advised to avoid these routes from 2 PM to 8 PM. Adequate signages and boards have been provided for the information of invitees and other road users and all motorists are also requested to adhere to the directions of the traffic policemen on duty, the advisory said.