New Delhi: The heart of national capital remained out of bounds for public as cyclists from across the globe ruled the streets for the whole day on Sunday and police rolled out an overwhelming security depriving many spectators an opportunity to witness the Commonwealth Games event.
The cycling event started at around 9:30 am from Parliament Street and police threw a virtual security blanket over the area disallowing pedestrian traffic.
The event is free for all and people can watch the event from behind the barricade along the route but police and organisers have not allowed spectators on the route, saying there are security restrictions.
Interestingly, spectator stands were erected at selected spots from where one could watch the event but they wore a deserted look as police deprived fans a rare opportunity to witness cycling road race.
Elaborate security and traffic arrangements were made for the road events, which included heli-borne assault teams, commando hit teams and quick reaction reams, giving protection to athletes.
Many of the roads, where the event took place, were barricaded while police vehicles patrolled the periphery of the cycling route to ensure that no untoward incident took place.
The cycling event covered Parliament Street, Red Cross Road, Rajendra Prasad Marg, Janpath, Rajpath and Vijay Chowk apart from Outer Circle of Connaught Place, Barakhamba Road, Minto Road and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg.
"To facilitate traffic and security arrangements, these routes were closed from midnight," a senior police official said, adding no crossover on the event route were allowed.
Traffic were blocked at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Rajpath, Rajender Prasad Marg, Ashok Road, Raisina Road, Tolstoy Marg, Outer Circle of Connaught Place, Barakhambha Road, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, Kotla Road, Bhav Bhuti Marg, State Entry Road, Imtiyaz Khan Marg and Talkatora Road for smooth conduct of the event.
Those who watched the cycling event on TV were in for a visual treat as choppers provided a bird's view of the capital with cyclists criss-crossing the Delhi streets.
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