Marathon will put traffic off road

NAGPUR: Take it for granted - traffic congestion will be the order of the morning on Friday. Traffic on south and east Nagpur roads will be hit
hard during the peak hours of the day. The reason - Nagpur International Marathon.
Nevertheless, the city and traffic police are gearing up to make elaborate arrangements to streamline the flow of traffic. “We will be diverting traffic on routes of the marathon,” said senior inspector (traffic) Jameel Ahmed.

Elaborating the arrangements, the senior PI ruled out any traffic congestion due to the marathon and added that traffic on designated routes will be closed before 15 minutes of athletes reaching every junction. He said the run will commence at 6.30 am and is expected to conclude by 10 am.

However, sources said roads in Sadar, Civil Lines, Ambazari, Gandhi Nagar, Chhatrapati Nagar, Wardha road, Central Avenue, Sitabuldi and Dhantoli from where the marathon will pass, generally witness heavy traffic in both morning and evening hours.

“Most of the schools, government offices and private establishments are situated in these areas,” pointed out the source and added, “Mostly students staying in north, west and south Nagpur would have to face hardship to reach their respective schools because of the diversions.”

The source claimed that the traffic on full the marathon route will not be affected as the strength of participants is around 400. However, in few stretches like Futala talao road to Campus road, athletes will find it hard as the road is very narrow. Their plight will be worsened because of the pipe-laying work in progress. Similarly, the itinerary of half-marathon will also remain unaffected with 300 participants are expected to take part.

The source further said that the vehicular traffic on the routes of smaller runs viz 10 km, 6 km, 2 km and 1.5 km are expected to be badly hit, as these smaller-segment events will attract people in thousands. Traffic on two flyovers - Gowari and Sakkardara will be closed for vehicular traffic.

As security measure, metal detectors will be installed at all the entrances of Yashwant stadium. Besides, many medical vans will be put up at the start/finish lines and along the route. The senior inspector has appealed to Nagpurians not to watch the event by standing on roads. “Onlookers should utilise the footpaths to witness the event,” he said.

“A few people will be inconvenienced by the road closures but I am sure they will bear the inconvenience with a smile,” Ahmed said.
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