Noida traffic police issue advisory in wake of festive rush

The Noida traffic police have banned the movement of autos, tempos and e-rickshaws near malls in the city ahead of Diwali.

These vehicles will not be allowed near Atta Market, Indira Market, GIP Mall, DLF Mall, and Botanical Garden among others on Thursday. Similar curbs were also imposed Tuesday for Dhanteras. These restrictions are in view of festive rush.

DCP (traffic) Yamuna Prasad said malls and markets are expected to see heavy footfall during the festivals and restrictions have been imposed to control traffic movement in these areas.

"Area outside malls like GIP, DLF Mall, Centre Stage Mall, and Gardens Galleria have been earmarked as no-parking zones. All Illegally parked vehicles will be towed away from these areas," he said while encouraging people to use the metro to commute to Delhi during this period.

On Tuesday, the police had banned the movement of autos, tempos and e-rickshaws from Atta Peer to Sector 18 market. People were advised to park their vehicles in authorised parking of malls or the multi-level parking in the sector.

Further, a crane was stationed in the no-parking zone outside Logix City Centre Mall on Tuesday.

Prasad said cops may also divert cars from shopping malls and markets if traffic volume increases. They issued a control room number — 971009001 — to assist commuters stuck in snarls.

Curbs were also in place in Greater Noida's Jagat Farm, Pari Chowk, Surajpur, Kasna, and Dadri areas.

Shoppers flocked to Atta Market, most of them to purchase utensils and jewellery. President of Sector 18 market association Sushil Kumar Jain said the city recorded a sale of Rs 1,500 crore in five days starting from Dhanteras last year. This year, the sales were expected to exceed the record.