CWG lanes to be operationalised from Thursday

New Delhi: The exclusive lanes for Commonwealth Games vehicles will be operationalised from

tomorrow in a need-based manner without closing down traffic in them for the entire day. Anyone deliberately straying into the lanes while they are operational will attract a fine of Rs 2,000. "The exclusive lanes will come into effect from tomorrow," Satyendra Garg, Joint Commissioner Traffic told reporters today. The lanes would be implemented in a need-based manner and there would be no 24-hour close down, he added. Police had earlier decided to enforce restriction of vehicles on the lanes from this Monday but later decided to postpone it to Thursday after organisers said that the first batch of athletes were to reach the city only by tomorrow. A notification to invoke the fine or impounding of vehicle for violators entering the Games lane was issued by the Lt Governor`s office earlier this month. Those found "deliberately violating" the rule will be penalised. However, someone accidentally straying into the lanes may escape without penalty, a senior police official said. "All road users are expected to maintain the sanctity of the dedicated lane. They should avoid getting into the dedicated lane and if inadvertently they enter the lane, they should immediately come out of it," he said. He said the dedicated lane is part of the contract entered into by host city and Commonwealth Games Federation. "There will be zero tolerance towards violations. Our motto is zero tolerance and maximum prosecution," he said. Initially, the restrictions on Games lanes will be operational during night time only as international flights carrying athletes are scheduled during those hours. Though the route from Games Village to competition venues and airport has a dedicated lane, there will be no such facility for practice venues. The official said there will be no special lanes for roads leading to practice venues but motorcycle patrols will lead the convoys of athletes. The lane may be thrown open for public when no Games vehicle is scheduled to use it, he said. Police personnel will be deployed along the routes to check any violation. Regular trials will be held on the lanes from tomorrow, he said. Public is advised to avoid as far as possible CWG lanes in general and Safdurjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, Siri Fort Road, Harsukh Marg, Purana Quila Road and Mother Teresa Crescent Road in particular as these roads have only two lanes in one carriage way and one lane is already reserved for Games related traffic. PTI